Anarkali (Lahore Metro)

Anarkali (Urdu: انارکلی) is a rapid transit station serving the Orange Line of the Lahore Metro in Lahore, Pakistan. It is one of the two underground stations on the Orange Line.

Anarkali انارکلی
Metro station
Anarkali station from outside.
General information
Location	Syed Mauj Darya Road, Anarkali Bazaar, Lahore-54030, Punjab Pakistan
Coordinates	31°33′44″N 74°18′36″E
Operated by	PMA
Line(s)	Orange Line
Platforms	2
Tracks	2
Connections	Metrobus: MAO College Station
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Parking	Available
Accessible	Yes
Architectural style	Islamic Mughal
History
Opened	25 October 2020
Services
Preceding station Lahore Metro Following station GPO towards Dera Gujran Terminal Orange Line Chauburji towards Ali Town Terminal
Route map Legend Ali Town Thokar Niaz Baig Canal View Hanjarwal Wahdat Road Awan Town Sabzazar Khatam-e-Nabuwat Salahudin Road Bund Road Samanabad Gulshan-e-Ravi Chaburji Anarkali GPO Lakshmi Railway Station Sultanpura UET Baghbanpura Shalamar Garden Pakistan Mint Mahmood Booti Salamatpura Islam Park Dera Gujran This diagram: view talk edit
Location Anarkali station Location within Lahore

History

The Anarkali station was opened after the completion and inauguration of the Orange Line on 25 October 2020.^[1][2] The construction of the station is reported to have displaced a large number of people, and caused damage to a number of community and heritage sites.^[3]

Etymology

The Anarkali station serves the Anarkali Bazaar, which is one of the oldest surviving markets in the Indian Subcontinent, dating back at least 200 years. It derives its name from the nearby mausoleum thought to be that of a courtesan named Anārkalī, who was chased out of town by the order of the Mughal Emperor Akbar for having a love affair with his son, Prince Salīm, who later became Emperor Jahāngīr.^[4]

Station layout

Anarkali station has different layout than most metro stations on the Orange Line. Its design is inspired by Islamic and Mughal architecture which have helped in transforming the station building into a landmark in the city centre. The station is located underground, and is 16 meters wide and 121.50 meters long.^[5]

Platform layout

Platform	Line	Destination
Ali Town platform	■Orange Line	For Chauburji, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Samanabad, Sabzazar, Awan Town, Thokar Niaz Baig, Ali Town
Dera Gujran platform	■Orange Line	For GPO, Lahore Junction railway station, UET Lahore, Shalimar Gardens, Dera Gujran

Connections

The Orange line connects to the Lahore Metrobus via an underground walkway from the Anarkali Station of the Orange Line to MAO College Station of the Lahore Metrobus.

See also

• Lahore Metrobus
• Orange Line (Lahore Metro)
• Lahore Metro
• Transport in Lahore

References

1. "CM Buzdar inaugurates Lahore Orange Line Train project". The News International. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
2. "Orange Line Metro Train - Lahore | China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Official Website". China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
3. Khan, Gulraiz (21 February 2021). "Orange is the colour of change". Dawn. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
4. "Legend: Anarkali: myth, mystery and history". Dawn. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
5. "Metro Rail systems the most efficient world over". Daily Times. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2022.