The Punjab Transport Department has begun preparations to launch Pakistan’s first fully underground metro service in Lahore, known as the Blue Line. Work on feasibility and design is moving ahead quickly, with practical steps already underway through collaboration between the Transport Department and the Lahore Development Authority.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed the provincial transport minister to finish the feasibility and design work as soon as possible. Once completed, the report will outline project costs, financing options, and the construction timeline. The feasibility study for the 27-kilometer Blue Line is currently being prepared.
The Blue Line route is planned to run completely underground, stretching from Valencia Town to Babu Sabu Chowk. It will pass through key areas including Johar Town, Faisal Town, Garden Town, Kalma Chowk, Gulberg, Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, Wahdat Road, and Allama Iqbal Town.
The project is expected to be completed within three years and aims to carry more than 250,000 passengers daily. Estimated costs for the metro exceed Rs600 billion, with interest from financial firms in China, Japan, and France for project funding.
Previous studies were carried out by Japan’s JICA and Turkish consultants in 2016, while a new transport study was finalized in June 2024. Preliminary funding and PC-I preparation for the Blue Line are expected in the upcoming budget, with the project slated for inclusion in the 2026–27 fiscal year.
