LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced plans to launch Lahore’s first tram service, following a briefing attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) office. The briefing covered ongoing development projects in Lahore.
During the meeting, officials informed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz that the LDA had already devised a plan to run a tram in Lahore’s city center to facilitate the city’s residents. After reviewing the initial project details, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz promptly approved the proposal.
According to official documents obtained by Urdu News, the estimated cost of the tram project is Rs27 billion. The Gulberg area has been selected for the initial phase.
The tram service will begin at Gaddafi Stadium in Nishtar Park, Gulberg, covering an 11-kilometer route with at least 10 stops. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq stated that the primary objective of the tram service is to provide state-of-the-art travel facilities within the city centre.
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The tram’s terminal will be located at Nishtar Park, and its route will pass through Kalma Chowk, Gulberg Main Boulevard, Hali Road, and Main Market, connecting to Siddique Trade Centre before entering MM Alam Road. From there, it will proceed through Hussain Chowk to Liberty Roundabout and Centre Point, eventually returning to Nishtar Park.
Farooq noted that the tram service is expected to significantly reduce general traffic in the area, enabling people to travel by foot or tram, thereby fostering a new cultural experience. He emphasized that the tram’s slow pace and dedicated track would not disrupt other traffic.
As per the initial design, three trams, each comprising three bogies, will be operated. The tram route will traverse popular shopping areas such as Hafeez Centre, City Centre, and MM Alam Road. Efforts are also underway to convert MM Alam Road into a one-way street.
LDA Chief Engineer Israr Saeed explained that they are considering three power options for the tram: electricity, solar power (as used in Finland and China), and fossil fuels. While solar power is being researched as a viable option due to the ongoing power crisis, the final decision will depend on budget and time constraints.
A Punjab cabinet minister said that Chief Minister Nawaz is keen to have the tram service operational by the time Lahore hosts the Cricket Champions Trophy in February next year. However, LDA spokesperson Osama Mehmood noted that with the event still six months away, it is too early to say whether the project will be completed in time. He added that the completion timeline can only be discussed once the legal and economic issues are resolved and work begins.