ahore will soon have added to its road network something the city has known as a relic: the good old tram service.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has already green-lighted the project which is expected to not only improve the public transport system in the city, but also increase its touristy value.

Recently, on her visit to the head office of the Lahore Development Authority, the CM had a discussion with the Director General Tahir Farooq, who shared the idea of a tram service. The CM liked the idea and gave her approval there and then.

Later, talking to this scribe, Farooq said that work on the project had commenced. He also said that the tram would cover a distance of 11 kilometres. Its track is likely to include 9-10 stops, which will be approximately 1.5 kilometres apart.

The tram will run through the city and have a terminal at Gaddafi Stadium. Its route will include the Gulberg Main Boulevard, Kalima Chowk, Hali Road, Liberty Market, Main Market (Gulberg), MM Alam Road and Centre Point. The re-modelling and beautification of the route is said to have been approved by the CM already.

The tram shall cover a distance of 11 kilometres. Its track is likely to include 9-10 stops, which will be approximately 1.5 kilometres apart.

In order to make way for the tram, the conversion of MM Alam Road into a one-way passage is currently under discussion.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 27 billion.

The LDA has drawn inspiration from modern-day trams in Finland and China. Chief Engineer Asrar Saeed says trams are light and compact vehicles, and will add to the beauty of the city. “Trams move slower and stop sooner [than regular vehicles]. They can share the road with other users. This makes them more accessible to the passengers. Some passengers love the slow-paced journey. This includes tourists and sight-seers.

In developed countries most trams are run on electric power, usually fed by an overhead line. “A decision on whether the Lahore tram should run on electricity or conventional fuel, or use solar energy has yet to be taken,” he says.

Ali Raza is a city reporter at The News