The apex court team review Orange Line Metro Train project

Lahore : A meeting of the Special Committee of Experts constituted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by former Judge Justice Sayed Zahid Hussain, to oversee implementation of the construction of Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project in the light of judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan was held on 11^th January, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in Committee Room of Auqaf Department, Punjab regarding the present position of civil works being executed by LDA and NESPAK.

The meeting was attended by the members of the Special Committee of Experts, Team of Experts and representatives of LDA, NESPAK and Archaeology Departments.

The Director General of Archaeology briefed that to comply with the direction of the Chairman Special Committee of Experts, a detailed inspection visit by the technical members of the Committees was made to all the protected Antiquities & Special Premises on 4^th January, 2018 to observe the mitigation & protective measures adopted for the stability and safety of the monuments falling near the OLMT Project in the light of the directions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in OLMT case.

The Chairman reviewed the progress of work and enquired from the members of the Committees regarding the measures adopted by the Executing Agency for the safety & stability of the Monuments.

The members of the Committees unanimously informed the Chair that the safety arrangements made at all the protected monuments falling near the OLMTP by the LDA are satisfactory.

The Chairman and members of Special Committee of Experts, Expert Team, representatives of LDA, NESPAK and Archaeology Department also paid detailed visits to Tomb of Hazrat Mauj Darya, St. Andrew Church, Supreme Court Lahore Registry Building, GPO, Lahore and Shah Chiragh, near Lahore High Court.

The Chief Engineer, LDA apprised the Chair and members of the Committees that the executing agency has completed all the necessary procedures for safety/stability of the monuments and explained the Rout Plan of the OLMT near the GPO, Supreme Court Registry Branch, Shah Chiragh Building, Church and Shrine of Hazrat Mauj Darya.

During the site visit of all the above mentioned Special Premises, the Chair and Committees members physically examined the procedures implemented by the Executing Agency for their safety & stability.

They also observed the strict supervision and monitoring being practiced by the staff of Archaeology & LDA. During the Site Visit, the Chairman met with the Registrar, Supreme Court Registry Branch, Custodian of the Church & members of Darbar Committee of tomb of Syed Mauj Darya and asked them regarding the coordination and cooperation of executing agency with them.

The Chairman directed the Chief Engineer, LDA for continuous and close coordination with all stakeholders during the execution of work.

The Chairman also directed the NESPAK authorities to strictly ensure the safety & stability of the monuments and quality of work during the execution & operation of Orange Line Metro Train in the light of the direction of the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The Chairman directed that other monuments falling near the OLMTP will be visited next week.