A coalition of civil society organisations in Lahore has urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to reconsider the proposed Yellow Line transit project along Canal Road, citing serious environmental, legal, and financial concerns.
In a joint letter, leading groups such as the Lahore Conservation Society, WWF-Pakistan (World Wide Fund for Nature), the Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP), the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed opposition to the multibillion-rupee development plan.
The Yellow Line — a 24-kilometer electric transit corridor stretching from Thokar Niaz Beg to Harbanspura — is part of Punjab’s broader infrastructure strategy to reduce traffic congestion. However, the civil society coalition argues that the project risks irreversible damage to Lahore’s ecological and cultural landscape.
Concerns include the proposed removal of approximately 1,400 mature trees, which form a vital green buffer along the Canal Road. According to environmental advocates, this green corridor plays a crucial role in maintaining the city’s air quality and urban biodiversity.
The letter points out that the project contradicts Supreme Court rulings and violates the Canal Urban Heritage Park Act, 2013, as well as international obligations under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
Additionally, the groups criticized the lack of public consultation required under the Lahore Master Plan 2050 and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997. There has been no publicly available Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), nor any evidence of inclusive dialogue with key stakeholders.
Posts circulating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) show growing public resistance, with users demanding more sustainable alternatives like electric bus rapid transit (BRT) systems that avoid deforestation.
The coalition also questioned the project’s financial feasibility, citing its estimated cost of over PKR 80 billion, and called for resources to be redirected toward essential public services such as clean water, improved sanitation, healthcare, and education.
They urged the provincial government to adopt global best practices in sustainable urban transport, including:
- Tree-tagging and protection legislation
- Green zoning laws
- Transparent EIA procedures
- Stakeholder engagement prior to development
The groups emphasized that while Lahore needs better transport solutions, they must not come at the cost of its heritage and natural environment.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 20th, 2025
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