LDA seeks NOC from Archaeology Dept for train

LAHORE
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has moved a formal request for obtaining an NOC from the Archaeology Department for construction of Orange Line as five historical sites come along the route and are protected under the Antiquities Act 1975 or Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance 1985.
Sources at the LDA revealed that five heritage sites i.e. Shalimar Gardens, Gulabi Bagh’s Tomb, Buddu’s Tomb, Chaburji and Zaib-un- Nisa’s Tomb should be protected at all costs. Sources said all these historical monuments are protected either under the Antiquities Act 1975 or Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance 1985.
Under the Act, development schemes within a distance of 200 ft of protected immoveable antiquity cannot be taken up without the approval of the DG of archaeology or committee. LDA’s senior official Israr Saeed said Orange Line Metro Train project is not going to damage any of the monuments on Multan Road and GT Road as the project is being constructed in conformity with the Antiquities Act 1975 as well as Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance 1985.
Sources at the LDA claimed that Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif took a serious notice of the propaganda of civil society organisations, which are protesting under the slogan of Save Lahore and Rasta Badlo on ground as well as on social media.
A high level meeting of the LDA officials held on Tuesday to discuss the issue and a presentation was prepared, which will be submitted to the Chief Minister Punjab on Wednesday (today). As per document, the LDA officials claimed that all the apprehensions expressed regarding the proximity of Orange Line project to several historical monuments, the elevated track causing visual barrier and effects of vibrations due to high speed Orange line train on heritage structures.
Israr Saeed said the elevated structure of the Orange Line is very slim and sleek and will not create any visual barrier. The alignment of the metro train follows the available corridor along Multan Road, Mcleod Road and GT Road. The piers are placed on the centre of the road to minimise the disturbance to the adjoining properties and land acquisition.
He said it will not be possible to deviate from the centre line of the road as demolition to lots of urban areas, massive land acquisition and relocation of the local population will be involved. He added that also for train projects, sharp turning radius and curves near these monuments to create distance cannot be allowed.
The document revealed that the trains to be operated for Orange Line project do not fall in the category of high speed trains since the maximum operating velocity of the train will be less than 80km/hr. Generally, the ground borne vibrations due to passage of such trains are limited. It said according to the German Standard DIN 4150 Part 3-1999 “structural vibration in buildings”, the maximum vibration velocity at the foundation level of the heritage structure shall be less than 3mm/sec. Based on the theoretical 2D FEA model of pier-ground system of light rail train viaduct system similar to Orange Line project (by Xia. H at el. 2001), it is concluded that beyond a distance of 10-12m from the main pier of rail, the ground borne vibrations (GBV) are negligible (<0.03mm/sec).
The document further revealed that the closest distance of the heritage sites listed above from the main pier of Orange Line rail are 95ft (29m) for Shalimar Gardens. 69ft (20.9m) for Ghulabi Bagh’s Tomb, 59ft (18.1) for Budda’s Tomb, 80ft (24.5m) for Chaburji monument and 110ft (33.5m) for Zaib un Nisa’s Tomb.
“Hence, it is concluded that the Orange Line is located at the safe distance from the heritage sites and the structures shall have no detrimental effects due to ground borne vibrations of Orange Line train,” Israr Saeed maintained.
The document about the Supreme Court Building claimed that no Part of Supreme Court building shall be affected due to Metro Orange Line Construction. The maximum efforts shall be made to protect the boundary wall of the Supreme Court building as well. In order to save the façade of the Supreme Court Registry Building, the Orange Line has been kept underground near the Building.
To ensure the structural integrity of the Supreme Court Building, continuous monitoring through requisite Instrumentation of the Supreme Court building shall be carried out to devise appropriate protection measures, wherever required. Appropriate shoring/bracing system shall be employed to ensure safety of the building. All the utilities shall be relocated first for the unobstructed supply of services to the said building.
About the GPO Building, the document claimed that part of the GPO triangular courtyard towards The Mall shall be used for the entry structure comprising of elevator, escalator and stairs and land shall be acquired for the same (This entry structure also serves the purpose of ventilation for underground Central station).
In order to save the façade of the GPO heritage building, see-through architectural arrangement will be proposed for the entry structure walls. To ensure the structural integrity of the GPO building, continuous monitoring through requisite Instrumentation of the GPO building shall be carried out to devise appropriate protection measures, wherever required. The GPO building shall be protected while the boundary walls of GPO shall be temporarily removed and restored to its original condition after the construction. GPO’s gate near the GPO chowk has to be shifted/relocated due to the entry structure of the central station. All the utilities shall be relocated first for the unobstructed supply of services to the said building.
About the high court building, it said part of high court parking/Aiwan-e-Auqaf courtyard shall be used for ventilation shafts and entry structure comprising of elevator, escalator and stairs and land shall be required for the same. Appropriate shoring/bracing system shall be employed to ensure safety of the building, especially the area, in the vicinity of central station. It said Nabha Roadside Boundary wall will be affected during construction and shall be restored to its original condition after the construction.
About the Church near Supreme Court building, it maintained that portion of foundation and the part of church building towards Nabha Roadside shall be affected due to its interference with underground structure and due to construction/space requirements of construction equipment. The affected part of the church and boundary wall during construction shall be restored to its original condition after the construction.
Due to the curvature (turning radius) constraints of the Metro Train, the realignment of the track is difficult in this area. But still negotiations are in progress to mitigate the impact of construction on the said building.