In a bold move to tackle Lahore’s worsening air pollution and smog, the Punjab government has approved a landmark project to construct a 40-kilometer-long green corridor stretching from Shahdara to Raiwind.
The green corridor will be developed along the existing railway track, transforming the space into lush green belts designed to serve as a natural buffer against pollution. The initiative aims to improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and provide citizens with much-needed recreational areas.
Spanning approximately 700 kanals, the project will also feature recreational facilities at several key points, offering open green spaces for public leisure. In a unique twist, decommissioned railway carriages will be repurposed into libraries and cafés, turning the corridor into a vibrant, interactive zone for families, students, and tourists.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs2.35 billion, and the Punjab Housing Department has committed to completing the corridor within one year.
Officials say this initiative is a vital part of Lahore’s environmental regeneration strategy, aimed at reducing the dangerous health effects of smog and promoting sustainable urban development.
Environmentalists and urban planners have widely welcomed the project, noting that such green infrastructure could play a pivotal role in reversing the city’s ecological degradation.
