Metro-Bus project will be completed with missionary spirit:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has said that metro bus project is not just a project but a great mission and will be completed in time with missionary spirit and determination. He said that completion of this project will not only result in availability of modern, comfortable, economical and rapid transport facilities to the people but will also save their precious time. He said that this project will also enable common citizens and students to reach their destination in time. He said that temporary difficulties being faced by the people will soon be transformed into permanent relief. He said that at the beginning of metro bus service, free travelling facility will be provided to the public for four weeks.

He expressed these views after paying a surprise visit to metro bus project early Sunday morning and later presiding over a high level meeting to review the security plan and the pace of progress of metro bus project at Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Member Provincial Assembly Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Project Director BRT, Director General LDA, District Coordination Officer Lahore, Chairman PITB and contractors besides other concerned authorities were also present. DG LDA gave briefing to the Chief Minister at various sections of the project. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that work on metro bus project is continuing round the clock and this splendid public welfare project will soon be completed. He said that metro bus service will result in availability of modern travelling facilities to the masses.

The Chief Minister also visited metro bus depot to inspect the construction work and directed the contractor to complete the remaining work as soon as possible. He said that bus depot is being set up over 158 Kanal land and modern facilities of parking of buses will be available at the depot. The Chief Minister also directed the concerned authorities and the contractors to complete the construction work of the drain being built along metro bus project speedily. He said that an eight kilometers long bridge is also being constructed for metro bus project and directed that it should be completed at the earliest.

Later, presiding over a high level meeting at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the Chief Minister directed that a comprehensive and foolproof security plan should be evolved for the project and effective patrolling should be arranged on the route. He said that security model of metro bus project of Turkey should be considered and a report be submitted to him. He said that CCTV cameras will be installed on the entire route of the bus service which will be directly linked with the central control room. He said that instead of the traditional security system, a unique and modern system should be introduced for metro bus project. The Chief Minister directed contractors to complete their work within the timeline and the process of transportation of construction material from different places to the site of the project should be further expedited. He said that the roads of the route should be completed speedily and no compromise would be made on the quality of material used in the construction of the roads.

The Chief Minister directed DG LDA to make immediate payments for the land acquired from the citizens for the implementation of the project and there should be no delay in this regard. He said that he is grateful to the people who extended full cooperation in the implementation of the project and faced problems and hardships for this mission. He said that the project will directly benefit the masses and a big transport problem would be solved. He said that the construction work of the stations should also be completed speedily and warned that he will not tolerate any negligence in this regard. The contractors working on the project assured the Chief Minister of their complete cooperation and said that they are working as his team and Insha Allah this glorious project will be completed within timeline. The Chief Minister was also briefed about the security plan and the pace of progress of the project.