LAHORE, Jul 28 (APP):The Punjab government has launched the landmark Green Railway Corridor project

under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of a greener and smog-free Punjab,

with plans to transform neglected railway land into parks and recreational spaces

along railway tracks.

According to a handout, the project, comprising four phases, envisages the development

of 32 parks on abandoned railway land previously affected by waste dumping and encroachments.

In the first phase, around 20 acres of land from Shahdara to Raiwind had been converted

into landscaped greenbelts, gardens and public recreational areas. As many as 21 parks

had already been developed along the railway corridor, providing leisure facilities

to residents while contributing to environmental improvement.

The initiative reflects the chief minister’s vision of developing green public spaces alongside

railway tracks on the pattern of developed countries. It also forms part of the Punjab government’s

broader strategy to make the province greener and more beautiful while expanding access

to parks and recreational facilities for children, women and families.

Spanning approximately 45 kilometres, the Green Railway Corridor project was being executed

at a cost of more than Rs1.77 billion. The scheme had been divided into four packages and

was being implemented jointly by the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) and Pakistan Railways.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to remove hurdles

delaying the remaining phases of the project and accelerate its implementation to ensure

timely completion.

Citizens welcomed the initiative and appreciated the chief minister for converting neglected,

garbage-strewn railway land into attractive public parks. Residents said the project had provided

much-needed recreational spaces for families and children, while an elderly visitor remarked

that it was difficult to believe such a transformation had become possible in Pakistan

CM launches green railway corridor project to transform railway land into parks