CM Shehbaz kicks off second trial run of Lahore's Orange Line Metro Train (VIDEO)

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated the second test run of Lahore’s Orange Line Metro Train, which is Pakistan's first mass rapid transit train project.

The trip is scheduled from Dera Gujran to Lakshmi Chowk, a stretch spanning 12-km long portion of the route.

The chief minister took a tour of the train along with Chinese consular general, engineers and senior officials of the Punjab government.

On the occasion, Shehbaz expressed his excitement and joy, saying "there is a particular class that has consistently been opposing the public welfare projects like OLMT since the day one."

https://www.facebook.com/ShehbazSharif/videos/1812353358803262/?notif_id=1526475853776684¬if_t=live_video_share

"Orange Line is a gift for honourable citizens of my country. IA we’ll introduce such facilities in other parts of Pakistan as well esp Karachi & Peshawar," he added.

"Teachers, students, common citizens, labourers and people from all walks of life will benefit from Orange Line Metro Train"

Talking about the project Shehbaz said, "OLMT is not just a one development project. Rather, it is the manifestation of democratic resolve to serve the common man.

"The OLMT project will transform people’s lives. The project will become the basis of an interaction between different classes of society by creating a sense of equality and ownership in social terms."

Chief Minister @CMShehbaz has arrived at Orange Line Metro Train station to inaugurate the test run of the train. #MetroTrainChalayGi pic.twitter.com/yh34171zk8

— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) May 16, 2018

The mass transit train line is a 27.1 km long project that runs from Ali Town to Thokar Niaz Baig, Multan Road to Scheme Mor, Chowburji, MAO College, Mall Road, Lakshmi Chowk and the Railway Station, from Garhi Shahu Bridge to GT Road and UET, and finally terminates at Dera Gujran.

All set for the test run of Orange Line Metro Train. pic.twitter.com/ZSf3i1tJ9M

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) May 15, 2018

The estimated cost of the project is around $1.65 billion while the provincial government earmarked Rs93 billion - the largest amount ever allocated to a single project - in the last budget.

The train is also slated to serve 250,000 people daily. Analysts speculate this project will also boost the election campaign of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz.

Trial run of Orange Line Metro Train carried out

The first trial run of Orange Line Metro Train was carried out this February after the apex court set aside a stay order given by the Lahore High Court (LHC) to halt construction on the mega project.