The Punjab Transport Department has initiated a historic project to provide modern urban travel facilities in Lahore with the Blue Line Metro Project, Pakistan’s first fully underground metro train service.
The 27-kilometre Blue Line will run from Valencia Town to Babu Sabu Chowk, featuring underground stations at Johar Town, Faisal Town, Garden Town, Kalma Chowk, Gulberg, Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, Wahdat Road, and Allama Iqbal Town. The metro is designed to carry over 250,000 passengers daily, significantly easing traffic congestion in Lahore.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed the provincial transport minister to fast-track feasibility and design work. The finalized report will outline the project cost, financing model, and construction timeline. The total cost is expected to exceed Rs600 billion, with tunneling machinery capable of digging 6 meters per day.
Financial institutions from China, Japan, and France have reportedly expressed interest in funding the project. Initial studies were conducted by JICA and Turkish consultants in 2016, followed by a new transport study in June 2024. While the original plan proposed 12 km underground, the entire Blue Line route will now be fully underground.
Authorities aim to complete the project within three years, with initial funding and PC-I anticipated in the 2026-27 budget. Officials say the metro will not only improve daily commuting but also modernize Lahore’s urban transport infrastructure, positioning the city as a leader in Pakistan’s public transit development.
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