LAHORE:
Lahore is ready to see electric trams on its roads, marking a new milestone after the metropolitan bus, the orange line metro train, speed feed buses and green electro buses.
The first electric tram, imported from China, has arrived in the city and is currently gathering in the tank of the city of Ali.
The authorities said the tram, designed to operate without a conventional railway, will initially work as a pilot project along the Canal’s road. A demonstration is expected for senior government officials and transport specialists in the first or second week of August at the Lahore Expo Center.
The latest generation tram consists of three interconnected compartments and can transport more than 200 passengers. Fully electric, you can travel to 27 kilometers with a 10 -minute load. Although it is able to operate autonomous through a digital navigation system, Pakistan drivers will operate it manually due to security considerations. The vehicle is equipped with steering controls and is designed to operate together with regular traffic without requiring significant changes in infrastructure.
“This is the latest technology, recently introduced in cities such as Abu Dhabi and two Chinese urban centers, and will soon start operating in Budapest,” said Punjab Minister of Transportation, Bilal Akbar Khan. “We are optimistic that Lahore and Gujranwala will see this service before Budapest.”
The minister added that the tram would operate along the corridor of the Channel road, from Thoz Baig to Harbanspura, during the trial phase. The authorities will monitor tram interaction with existing traffic and evaluate whether a dedicated lane is necessary. However, building this lane could involve cutting trees and road expansion, options that the Government intends to avoid the costs of the project under control. An execution test for the main boulevard, Gulberg is also proposed.
If it succeeds, the tram system can be extended to other cities, including Faisalabad and Gujranwala, during the current fiscal year.
The initiative is part of the Punjab’s five -year transport modernization strategy approved earlier this year. At a February meeting chaired by Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz, officials described the plans for a rapid automated rapid (art) traffic system, an avant -garde electric bus network and without traces modeled after the systems that are already operational in Abu Dhabi, Malaysia and Qatar.
Art vehicles will have three coaches, accommodating up to 300 passengers, with integrated Wi-Fi, CCTV surveillance and fast charging capabilities in smart stations with solar energy. The system is designed to reduce the need for specialized clues, which makes it profitable and space savings.
“The objective is to introduce modern public transport not only in the main urban centers, but also in smaller cities in Punjab,” CM said. “This initiative will improve the quality of life and reduce disparities throughout the province.”
The art system is expected to deploy in 10 cities in three phases, starting with Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala.
