LAHORE: Proposals have been floated to launch tram service at three locations with Gulberg being the first place to have such a facility.

The cost estimated to be incurred on the project will range between Rs18 billion and 25bn, Dawn has learnt.

“The tram route in Gulberg consists of 8.2 kilometres, starting from Kalma Chowk and ending at the same place. It will cover the areas of MM Alam Road, Mini Market, Hussain Chowk, Liberty, Hali Road Main Boulevard etc. The trams parking station/yard is being planned to be constructed near Gaddafi stadium,” a senior LDA official explained while discussing the project with Dawn on Wednesday.

According to him, the pre-feasibility study of the project would cost nearly Rs25 million and the approval regarding this would soon be sought from the chief minister in a meeting being scheduled to be held next week.

Service in Gulberg to cost between Rs18bn and Rs25bn

“Once we get a go-ahead, we will start conducting pre-feasibility, followed by a detailed feasibility of the project,” he said.

To a question, he said the cost of high-quality trams with laying of tracks and provision of other things to the system would cost around Rs25bn. And if normal trams, tracks etc are procured, the cost would be Rs18bn or so, the official said, adding that the service would not only provide an environment-friendly transport service to the people, especially the shoppers, but also link green line (Lahore metro bus service) at Kalma Chowk.

Talking about other options, he said the second tram service is being planned to be launched in the congested and rush areas of Chauburji, Old Anarkali, Secretariat, Jain Mandar and others in order to provide state-of-the-art transport service to the shoppers as well as those visiting the city’s heritage sites. The service here will also link the Lahore orange line.

“The third proposal aims at launching such service in the areas of Jilani Park, Bagh-i-Jinnah and Lahore Zoo. It will provide transport service especially to those visiting the major city parks and gardens including Jilani Park, Bagh-i-Junnah and Lahore Zoo,” he said, adding that the government would implement the tram service project firstly at Gulberg.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2024