LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has stopped the Punjab government from continuing with construction of the Orange Line train project on any site, which falls within 200 feet of any historical building.
A division bench of the court issued on Thursday a short order, adjourning the hearing till February 4.
About 11 historical buildings fall in the way of the Orange Line, including Chauburji, Saint Andrew Church, GPO, Supreme Court Registry Branch and Shalamar Gardens, among others.
Civil society urged to support Metro train
The petitioner had argued that the project was initiated without a proper planning.
The counsel said electricity, water and gas lines were not shifted to proper places and because of non-availability of alternative roads, traffic jams could be witnessed on every road throughout the day.
‘Orange Line metro train has no future‘
The Rs365 billion project of the metro train was not approved by the Punjab Assembly, the counsel said, adding that the project has put heritage of Lahore city on stake as historical and protected monuments will lose their significance.
It was also pointed out that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) had opposed the project for being a serious threat to environment and other reasons.
The petitioner asked the court to suspend all processes, including initiation of Orange Line project, demolition, building of any part, as well as allocation and spending of funds pertaining to the project till a decision is finalised.
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