Punjab expands green urban drive with railway corridor, digital farm labs and renewed hepatitis push

• Green Railway Corridor project to develop 32 parks along railway tracks, with 21 already completed in first phase

• Rs1.77bn, 45-kilometre project converts abandoned railway land into green belts, gardens and public recreational spaces

• 'Lab on Wheels' initiative to deliver on-site soil and water testing, instant reports and digital advisory services to farmers

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday accelerated her government's twin agenda of environmental sustainability and public welfare by advancing the landmark Green Railway Corridor project, launching the “Lab on Wheels” initiative to bring scientific soil testing directly to farmers' fields, and reaffirming the province's commitment to eliminating hepatitis through expanded screening and free treatment.

As part of the chief minister's vision of building a greener and smog-free Punjab, the provincial government has launched the revolutionary Green Railway Corridor project, inspired by modern urban development models.

The four-phase initiative aims to transform abandoned and garbage-strewn railway land into landscaped public spaces, with a target of developing 32 parks along railway corridors across the province.

Under the first phase, 20 acres of land stretching from Shahdara to Raiwind have been converted into green belts, gardens and recreational areas. In addition, 21 parks have already been developed along the railway track, providing quality recreational facilities for residents while contributing to environmental improvement.

The initiative reflects CM Maryam Nawaz's vision of developing parks alongside railway tracks in line with international standards. It forms part of the Punjab government's broader strategy to create a greener, cleaner and more beautiful province while expanding recreational opportunities for children, women and families.

The 45-kilometre Green Railway Corridor project carries an estimated cost of over Rs1.77 billion. Divided into four packages, it is being implemented jointly by the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) and Pakistan Railways.

CM Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to remove all obstacles delaying the remaining phases of the project at the earliest and ordered that the pace of implementation be accelerated to ensure timely completion.

Residents welcomed the Green Railway Corridor initiative and appreciated the Chief Minister's efforts, describing the conversion of garbage dumps into attractive public parks as a remarkable achievement. They said the project had provided children with safe recreational spaces while significantly improving the surrounding environment.

An elderly resident remarked that it was hard to believe such a transformation could take place in Pakistan, describing the project as an inspiring example of positive urban development.

'Lab on Wheels' to bring scientific soil testing to farmers' fields

In another major initiative aimed at modernising agriculture, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz launched the “Lab on Wheels” project to provide farmers with on-site scientific testing of soil and water samples as part of the province's drive towards digital agriculture.

Under the initiative, farmers will be able to summon a mobile laboratory with a single call. Field teams will collect soil and water samples directly from farms and carry out scientific analysis on the spot. Test reports will be issued immediately, accompanied by expert guidance to help farmers make informed cultivation decisions.

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کی قیادت میں کسانوں کے لیے انقلابی "لیب آن ویلز" سروس کا آغاز۔ جہاں جدید موبائل لیبارٹری کسان کے کھیت تک پہنچ کر مٹی اور پانی کے نمونوں کا موقع پر سائنسی تجزیہ، فوری رپورٹ اور زرعی ماہرین کی رہنمائی فراہم کرے گی۔
ڈیجیٹل ٹیکنالوجی اور موبائل ایپ کے… pic.twitter.com/VMg5EPz6MC

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 28, 2026

The chief minister said accurate soil assessment and the balanced use of fertilisers were essential for making Punjab agriculturally self-sufficient. She said agriculture in the province had been shifted from conventional practices to a scientific and digital model with the objective of reducing production costs and increasing per-acre farm income.

The mobile laboratories will measure soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) at the site, besides analysing key nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). Test results will be uploaded instantly through a mobile application, enabling the immediate issuance of scientific reports.

According to a briefing, each report will include recommendations on suitable crops and fertiliser requirements based on the condition of the land. A digital copy of the report will be sent directly to farmers through SMS and WhatsApp, allowing them to access their soil and water analysis on their mobile phones with a single click. Agricultural experts will also provide face-to-face advisory services at farms.

Officials informed the chief minister that a central control room had been activated to ensure transparency and strict monitoring of the project. All mobile laboratories will be tracked in real time through GPS, while live camera streaming and dashboard monitoring systems have been introduced to assess the performance of field teams.

The briefing further said farmers' requests would be registered immediately, while mobile laboratory visits would be scheduled after approval by the district laboratory in-charge. A dedicated mobile application would also ensure on-site attendance registration of field teams.

CM reaffirms resolve to eliminate hepatitis

In a related development, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her government's commitment to eliminating hepatitis in collaboration with the nation and urged the public to undergo timely hepatitis screening to protect lives and prevent the spread of the disease.

In her message on World Hepatitis Day, the chief minister said ensuring access to hepatitis screening and free treatment for citizens remained one of the government's foremost priorities. She highlighted that screening services being provided through mobile hospitals were enabling people to access healthcare facilities at their doorstep.

وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کا ہیپاٹائٹس کے عالمی دن پر پیغام ۔ pic.twitter.com/rbm7HDnyzd

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 28, 2026

She stated that hepatitis patients were being provided free diagnosis and treatment without any financial burden. The chief minister added that the manufacture and reuse of substandard syringes had been strictly prohibited to curb the transmission of the disease.

Maryam Nawaz further said deep cleaning of all government hospitals was being carried out to ensure strict compliance with hygiene and infection prevention protocols.