The Punjab government has started work on the feasibility and design of the Blue Line Metro Train project, a significant expansion of Lahore’s mass transit system.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan to speed up the process to ensure the swift completion of the feasibility and design phase.

The 27-kilometer Blue Line Metro route will connect Valencia Town to Babu Sabu Chowk, passing through key locations such as Johar Town, Faisal Town, Garden Town, Kalma Chowk, Gulberg Main Boulevard, Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, and Allama Iqbal Town. The project is expected to benefit over 250,000 daily commuters.

The Punjab government aims to complete the Blue Line Metro Train within three years. The construction will involve advanced technology and heavy machinery, with tunneling expected to progress at a rate of six meters per day. The project is estimated to cost over Rs 600 billion, though a final estimate will be determined once the feasibility and design reports are completed.

Several international financial institutions from China, Japan, and France have shown interest in funding the project. Previously, the Punjab Transport Department had conducted studies on the Blue Line Metro.

A 2016 study by Japan’s JICA and Turkey’s Osmani agency initially suggested a 12-kilometer underground section. However, a June 2024 transport study confirmed that the entire Blue Line route is feasible as a fully underground project.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz officially announced the inclusion of the Blue Line Metro Train in Lahore’s mass transit system just two days ago, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing urban transportation infrastructure.