Fences, flower pots and other installations along the Lahore Metro Bus track—worth crores of rupees—have reportedly been stolen in recent weeks, allegedly by drug addicts operating in the absence of adequate security.
According to report, several sections of the dedicated metro bus corridor have been stripped of fencing and decorative structures in broad daylight, with key locations such as Ferozepur Road, Chauburji, Jain Mandir, and Qurtaba Chowk among the hardest hit.
The Lahore Metro Bus Service - launched in 2013 as a flagship public transport project - has suffered from negligence in maintenance and enforcement in recent years.
However, the recent wave of thefts appears to mark a new low in urban mismanagement, where drug addicts—often seen loitering near bus stations—have allegedly resorted to stripping the infrastructure for scrap.
Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan acknowledged the thefts and admitted that security gaps had led to the damage.
“We are aware of the issue and have instructed the concerned departments to take immediate action,” said the minister. “Security will be enhanced along the entire Metro Bus corridor, and we will be increasing the number of CCTV cameras to ensure round-the-clock surveillance.”
He added that coordination with local police and civic authorities is underway to monitor and curb the movement of drug addicts around the Metro facilities.
