Environmental Pollution Impact due to Metro and Orange line train in Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction

Humans and the environment have a close relationship for centuries; a small move by humans puts a long-lasting effect on the environment. Environmental pollution could be a major problem we are facing within the past 20 years because it directly or indirectly affects human health and other species. The carcinogens present in the air cause serious respiratory disorders. It also affects the physical and biological components of the ecosystem which can cause drastic changes within the atmosphere. Any environmental state of a city is best described by its water and air quality.

Lahore is that the second-largest metropolitan city of Pakistan with an approximately 10 million population. As the demand for transportation has been increased, a large number of vehicles registered on the daily basis. Private means of transportation share one- third of the data. To deal with such a problem the Government of Pakistan introduces a Rapid Transit system to provide efficient and comfortable means of transportation along with policies to confront environmental problems and develop a sustainable environment.

Major goals of environmental sustainability are:

• Improve health and climate damage

• Reduce noise pollution

• Reduce the number of exhaust emissions

• Reduce land destruction for developing infrastructure

• Increasing recycling

• Increase the usage of renewable resources

MASS/ RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM:

“Mass transit, (also called mass transportation, or public transportation) the movement of people within urban areas using group travel technologies such as buses and trains.”

Two major sources of the mass transit system are:

1. Metro bus transit system

2. Orange line train transit system.

1. METRO BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM:

Lahore metro bus is a highly innovative project. It is a two-lane with limited access corridor that was launched on 11 February 2013. A 27km long patch was opened with 27 stations that connect different areas of Lahore. It links Gajju Matah and Shahdra to the main city.

Environmental impacts of MBT:

• Noise pollution: Noise pollution is one of the major problems we are facing these days. There is a need to introduce new technologies that help to reduce noise. Government introduces this service to facilitate the public but according to the EIA report, it does not satisfy the standard of the optimum noise level. There was no significant change that can be seen in noise pollution.

• Air pollution: The other major goal of MBT was to reduce air pollution and road accidents. Air pollution is the second major problem. But according to the EIA report, it also fails here to provide a satisfying result. There was an increase in particulate matter near its construction areas. The material used in its construction also contributes to producing air pollutants and matter congestion occurs.

• Traffic congestion: Lahore is a city with a majority of the population. In order to traffic jams and irregular traffic the government comes up with a solution; one of them is the construction of Metro. But Metro Bus experience conflict at eight junctions the most critical one is Azadi Chowk. It was claimed that these projects prove helpful and share the traffic burden but road Congestion has not been significantly changed.

2. ORANGE TRAIN TRANSIT SYSTEM:

Orange line, the rapid transit system was inaugurated in Lahore in October 2020. It is a 27 km long route with multiple stations. From Dera Gojra to Niaz Baig it passes through major sites in old Lahore. Chinese Government financed this project. It shows a memorandum of understanding between both Governments.

Environmental impacts:

• Noise pollution: It is completely a reliable project to tackle noise pollution. According to the EIA report, there seems a remarkable decrease in noise pollution. It lowers the standers of noise pollution. But somehow, as the train runs on metal tracks creates an additional sound of 100dB. Overall in comparison to the metro train, it helps to combat noise pollution.

• Air pollution: The second major environmental issue especially in Lahore, where smog becomes denser day by day. The number of pollutants discharges from traffic exhaust and their concentration continuously increases. Government introduces the Rapid Mass Transit System to solve this problem. But according to the EIA report, the orange line metro train system fails to encounter increased particulate matter in nearby construction sites. Huge traffic congestion along the route and construction work adding up more pollutant and ultimately cause air pollution.

• Traffic congestion: For a Rapid Transit System to work efficiently, there must a share approximation of 30% daily ridership but the orange line project just shares 3.3% of daily ridership.