China’s Anshan Iron and Steel supplied more than 8,000mt rails for Pakistan’s Lahore Metro project, built as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor under the Belt and Road initiative. All steel rails for the project were produced by Ansteel Group.
Lahore Metro’s Orange Line commenced operations on Oct 25. The 27k-line with 26 stations provides connectivity to more than 12mn people residing in Pakistan second largest city and capital of Punjab province. The project is build to Chinese standards with Chinese equipment and technology at a cost of $2.2bn in a span of six years, according to media reports. The initial plan was to build an 82km rail network in four phases, but the plan was shelved to fund other projects.
China State Railway Group and China North Industries Corporation constructed the project, while it is operated by Guangzhou Metro Group, Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service and Norinco International. Anshan Steel won the bid to supply rails for the Orange Line project in 2016.