FAISALABAD: Authorities have successfully transplanted 670 mature trees affected by the Faisalabad Metro Bus project to three designated locations, while work on relocating another 125 trees is currently underway.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to officials, 367 trees have been shifted to Kaleem Shaheed Park, 166 to Bagh-e-Jinnah and 137 to Dhobi Ghat Ground, also known as Iqbal Park.
Project Director Punjab Mass Transit Authority and former Punjab Chief Secretary Capt (retd) Zahid Saeed visited the Tree Transplantation Orchard at Bagh-e-Jinnah, where Commissioner Faisalabad Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh briefed him on the progress of the initiative. Managing Director Horticulture Agency Dilawar Khan and other officials were also present.
Zahid Saeed appreciated the efforts to preserve trees affected by the development project, particularly the commissioner’s role in ensuring their timely relocation and proper care. He expressed hope that the transplanted trees would regain their greenery by next spring and transform the site into a model orchard.
He urged horticulture agencies in other districts to adopt similar practices, emphasising that trees affected by infrastructure development should be relocated to designated sites instead of being cut down. He also appreciated the Faisalabad Horticulture Agency’s efforts and announced that he would revisit the orchard.
Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said each tree at the facility, described by officials as Pakistan’s first Tree Transplantation Orchard, was being closely monitored to ensure its survival and healthy growth. He added that visitors to Bagh-e-Jinnah had shown considerable interest in the initiative and appreciated the efforts to protect mature trees.
The commissioner reiterated that no tree would be allowed to go to waste in Faisalabad Division and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to environmental protection in line with the Punjab government’s vision.
Separately, a meeting chaired by Zahid Saeed and the commissioner at the Commissioner’s Office reviewed progress on relocating utility infrastructure along the Metro Bus project routes.
The meeting was informed about the shifting of installations and services belonging to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).
The commissioner said relevant departments had been mobilised to relocate electricity poles, gas installations and water supply and sewerage infrastructure. He also announced that he would personally inspect the relocation of WASA pipelines.
Zahid Saeed directed all concerned departments to ensure strict compliance with safety measures during construction activities and accelerate coordination to complete utility relocation within the stipulated timeframe.
The commissioner further directed that water sprinkling along the project routes be carried out every four hours to minimise dust and mitigate the impact of the anticipated smog season.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nauman Siddique, Punjab Mass Transit Authority Director Danish Raza, Deputy Director Dilshad Ahmed, Director Development Asif Chohan, WASA Managing Director Saqib Raza, Horticulture Agency Managing Director Dilawar Khan, and representatives of FESCO, SNGPL, NESPAK, Traffic Police and other departments.
