Lahore Metro Bus system, A Historic Public Transport Project

During the last two decades, a number of proposals have been under consideration about tackling the traffic problems of Lahore. Immediately after coming to power, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif with close co-operation of Turkey attended to the mass transit system in Lahore. The transport programme has three phases: 1-Ferozpur Road’ from Kahna to Shahdara (32 kilometres), 2-Multan Road ‘from Thokar to MAO College (13 kilometres), 3-Canal Road Motorway Interchange ‘Thokar Niazbeg to Mughalpura Bridge (20 kilometres).

In the first phase, the Punjab Government has started work on the mega project of Metro Bus System from Gajumata to Shahdara. Metro Bus System, which is the biggest development project in the history of Lahore, is now, rapidly passing through the various stages of its completion. After its completion, this project is likely to give a pleasant change to the city.

Upon the completion of project, eighteen thousand passengers would be able to travel by means of these big buses every hour. A state of the art fleet of 115 air-conditioned environment-friendly buses would become a part of Pakistan’s first most sophisticated transport system. Besides the construction of stations on each kilometre of the main carriage way and building of 32 overhead bridges to enable the passengers to reach there on foot, are also some of the important features of this project. On the terminals of these stations, the passengers will enjoy all facilities, including the modern ticketing system. After every two minutes, next bus will be available on the terminal.

The Metro Bus track includes South Asia’s longest flyover, extending over 9.6 kilometres is also being constructed to save the metro bus system from traffic problems. This system will also play an important role in reducing the traffic load, noise and air pollution on the small and link roads adjacent to the main Ferozpur Road. In addition to the building of the main track on the Ferozpur Road, an underpass will also be constructed for the benefit of those who cross the road on foot at Kalma Chowk. Moreover, the project has got an additional underpass for the traffic taking turn from the Model Town Morr. The special track for the metro bus system is nine to ten meters wide, consisting of two lanes 3.5 meters wide and a flexible strip one meter wide. It is separated from the general traffic by means of a double barrier, 1.7 meters high and 7 meters wide. According to Aashto, which is the authentic standard for highways, the width of the outer shoulders of the two 3.5-meter wide lanes is 40 centimetres. During the work on this project, the already existing general roads are also being repaired and improved. The designed speed for general traffic on Ferozpur Road will be 60 kilometres an hour, while each carriage will have three lines, and the minimum width of lanes will be 3 to 3.3 meters. Besides this, the condition of Ferozpur Road will be further improved by an additional layer of 5 centimetres thick asphalt.

The Gajumata to Yuhanabad 2.3 kilometre section is being constructed at the ground level. Construction work is already going on the ten kilometre long route from Yuhanabad to Kalma Chowk. It also includes the extension of Kot Lakhpat Bridge from one side. Besides the metro transport, general traffic will also be taken towards Kalma Chowk by this new 11 kilometre long bridge. It also includes the cost of the construction of the nine metre wide external route for the traffic heading for the left towards Peco Road. The estimated cost of the remaining ten kilometre long corridor from Yuhanabad to Kalma Chowk is more than 4 billion rupees. The five kilometre long metro bus route from Kalma Chowk to Qartba Chowk has been divided into two sections. The 2.8 kilometre section from Kalma Chowk to Rahmanpura is at ground level, while 2.2 kilometre section from Rahmanpura to Qartba Chowk will be at an elevated level. This elevated section consisting of two lanes will be lifted on pillars. The general width of the deck will be ten meters, whereas at the stations, it will be fifteen meters. The combined estimated cost of both these sections is around 4.75 billion rupees.

 After Ferozpur, the on-going phase of the project consists of the overhead bridge from Kartba Chowk to MAO College via Lytton Road. The estimated cost of this 2.5 kilometre section is 3.75 billion rupees. On account of the narrow width of Lytton Road, a 9.0 meter wide overhead bridge is being built, consisting of two lanes 3.5 meters wide, in this section of the project. One meter wide shoulder will be built on each of its sides. In all the elevated sections, bridges are also being built for the easy movement of the passengers and for the convenience of pedestrians. Ten meter wide corridor consisting of two lanes 2.1 meters and 3.5 meters wide respectively, from MAO College to Bhati Gate, is the continuation of Qartba Chowk to MAO College Section. These sections of the project also include the improvement of the condition of Lower Mall and other existing roads. The total estimated expenditures of this elevated section are Rs. 3,079 million. The overhead bridges from Niazi Interchange to Shahdara Morr are also linked to the same elevated section. The estimated cost of the construction of this 3.0 kilometre long section of this project is Rs. 969 million. In this section, the metro bus system route will be separated in the form of two one way lanes. Passing through Niazi Interchange and using a loop of the interchange, one lane will reach Shahdara Morr, passing from the old Ravi Bridge in a vertical manner. Starting from Shahdara Morr and going to Niazi Interchange, the other lane will reach Ravi Bridge, passing through Old Ravi Underpass and Vegetable Market. From this point, two-way lanes will start on the metro bus route. This elevated section of the project also includes a 9.0 metre wide corridor, consisting of two lanes 3.5 metres wide. It will be separated from the general traffic by means of a 1.7 metre high and 60 centimetre wide double faced mini-barrier. Another overhead bridge from Teksali Chowk to Shahdara Turn is another part of this unit. In addition to Ravi Bridge, this 3.3 kilometre long section will be completed at the cost of 2,180 million rupees.