• The Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), Lahore’s first urban train system, would be solarized to lower the city’s yearly power expense of more than Rs 1.9 billion
• MAT’s General Manager (operations), Ozair Shah, stated that energizing OLMT with a solar system is unavoidable since the per unit cost of electricity ranges between Rs. 18 and Rs. 21
• Many conceptual concepts are in the works to realize a solar system for the Metro Train while balancing their benefits and drawbacks

LAHORE: The Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), Lahore’s first urban train system, would be solarized to lower the city’s yearly power expense of more than Rs 1.9 billion.

The Chinese contractor CR-NORINCO, a joint venture between China State Railway Group (CR) and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), turned over the train to the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMAT) in 2020.

In an interview, PMAT’s General Manager (operations), Ozair Shah, stated that energizing OLMT with a solar system is unavoidable since the per unit cost of electricity ranges between Rs. 18 and Rs. 21, which is insufficient to run the complete function of OLMT for an extended period.

Many conceptual concepts are in the works to realize a solar system for the Metro Train while balancing their benefits and drawbacks, he noted.

“One of the proposals is to construct a solar plant with a capacity of 50 MG or 70 MG.” “Instead of utilizing regular electrical apparatus, the solar plant will activate an input-to-output mechanism via WeLink to power up OLMT,” he stated.

The overall ridership of OLMT has surpassed 20 million since its inception. It has fulfilled advanced international operating requirements with 90,000 train journeys spanning a total distance of 12 million kilometers, with trip efficiency of 99.9% and punctuality of 99.9%. The Orange Line Metro Railway Project features 26 stations and a track length of over 27 kilometers.

Furthermore, people’s travel efficiency has substantially improved, with the full route being shortened from 2.5 hours to 45 minutes. Furthermore, the operation of the orange line contributes to the reduction of the use of outdated automobiles within the city, the reduction of gas emissions, the improvement of environmental pollution, and the promotion of the city’s green and sustainable growth.

The Orange Line Metro is powered entirely by electric energy, resulting in zero pollution and zero emissions. It is expected that the annual gas emissions from fuel will be decreased by 30,000 tonnes.

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OLMT is a CPEC project. The deal for this project was reached in April 2015, indicating its importance to both China and Pakistan.