LAHORE: The Punjab government, in collaboration with Pakistan Railways (PR), has decided to revive a project aimed at developing a `green corridor` along the 40km-long stretch of the railway track from Shahdara to Raiwind (Main Line-1).

The project aiming to combat smog and other forms of environmental degradation is set to be executed by the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) under the administrative control of the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department. The PR willensure availability of its land for the initiative along the track to the project exe cuting agency, Dawn has learnt.

Though the project was included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2017-18 under scheme No 8920, it was later dropped.

According to the project brief, the funds amounting to over Rs2.335 billion for the green corridor project would be obtained through a supplementary grant to be provided by the chief minister. The total area of the corridor is 700 kanals (87.5 acres), while 33 sites at different locationswould also be converted into green corridors within the gestation period of 12 months.The project will have four p a c k a g e s P a c k a g e -1 (Shahdara to Lahore railway station, having a total of eight sites), followed by Package-2 (Lahore to Walton station, having 11 sites), Package-3 (Walton to Kot Lakhpat station, having four sites) and Package-4 (Kot Lakhpat to Raiwind, having 10 sites).

The proposed commercial activities will include setting up of fruit stalls and cart markets, parking facilities, advertisement/digital boards, community centres and plants/sapling nurseries.

The scope of the project will include installation of boundaryfences, development of jogging tracks, walkways, gazebos, children`s play area, open gyms, badminton courts, volleyballcourts,benches, dust bins, water bodies, tuck shops, carts, digital library and cafeteria in the old railway passenger coaches, besides cafeteria and cycle tracks.

`It is the first project of its kind planned to be executed along the railway track,` said an official of Pakistan Railways.

`The PC-1 of the project has been sent by the housing department to the Punjab government for approval,` he added.

Officials say the project, spearheaded by SeniorMinisterMarriyum Aurangzeb, reflects the province`s commitment to climate resilience and urban beautification.

According to a spokesperson for the housing department, the project will have green landscaping and recreationalspots for public use.

He says old railway carriages will be repurposed into libraries and cafes, offering residents engaging social spaces amid green surroundings.

`The green corridor will not only mitigate smog and urban heat but also uplift the aesthetic and recreational value of the city,` he said. The corridor stands as a model for sustainable urban development and reflects Punjab`s strategic approach to safeguarding environmental health for future generations, he said.