LAHORE, PAKISTAN – Civil society organisations, environmentalists, and heritage advocates have raised the alarm over the proposed Yellow Line Metro Train project, urging Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to immediately halt the initiative.
The project’s planned route along Lahore’s historic Canal Road threatens the felling of nearly 1,400 mature trees, sparking fears of environmental degradation and legal violations. Activists argue the area is a protected green corridor and a declared heritage site, safeguarded by earlier court rulings.
Critics also point out that the Yellow Line is absent from the official Lahore Master Plan and lacks public consultation or environmental assessment. They demand the government explore sustainable alternatives such as electric or hybrid bus rapid transit (BRT) that preserve green spaces.
With construction expected to start in September, opposition to the project continues to grow, placing the future of Lahore’s environmental integrity in serious doubt.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.