Re: Lahore Metro Train : Orange Line
I don’t know much about geography of Lahore, but Lahore High Court issuing Stay order for the project for security of heritage site (construction within 200 meters of the sites) does carry weight. The Court probably also refers to UNESCO’s objection against the project, so there must be something damaging that Court intervened.
People had a justification when they raised concerns against PPP for arranging Sindh festival in Moen-jo-Daro ruins and if any project is affecting Lahore’s heritage, I don’t think that it can be shunned by saying that heritage sites used as dating points are no more a secret. I know people (couples) visit Kamran’s Bara dari and so is the case with Quaid e Azam’s mazar. Does that provide us opportunity that if we start a project near main Numaish Chorangi, Karachi we don’t bother about destruction of founder’s mausoleum? May be we can find examples from other countries how they cared for their heritage and didn’t destroy heritage for the so called development.
For GT road, I think there is a difference between a road and a building. Don’t know if UNESCO consider roads a heritage? Correct me if any road has been given status of heritage by UNESCO. GT road was first developed by Asoka and then Sher Shah. Akbar did also added inns on the way. so historically, everyone developed the road. I would definitely have issue if a building on GT road is affected (say Hiran Minar. correct me if its not on GT road), but repairing / expanding 1000 kilo meter road is not that is same as causing damage to buildings near the road.