MBP is for the comman man: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the glorious Metro Bus Project has been initiated for the convenience and service of the people and day and night work is rapidly continuing on it as a result of which it would be completed very soon. He said Punjab government has introduced unprecedented culture of hard work. He said a lot has been learnt during this project, and it is need of hour to continue with the same culture of hard work. He said Metro buses are arriving in Lahore very soon and the common man would have the facility of comfortable and dignified bus journey in the near future.
He expressed these views, while presiding over a high- level meeting regarding pace of development on Metro Bus Project, security arrangements, traffic management, horticulture & landscaping, held at Model Town today. The meeting was attended by Chairman Lahore Transport Company Kh. Ahmed Hassan, Members Assembly Dr. Saeed Elahi, Hafiz Mian Nauman, Ramazan Bhatti, Secretaries of Home, Communication and Works, Commissioner Lahore Division, Additional IG Special Branch, Additional IG Traffic, DCO Lahore, DG LDA, CTO, DG PHA, MD WASA, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board, contractors, besides concerned officials. Chief Minister was given a detailed briefing by Secretary Home on security measures, by DG LDA on development work at different sections, by CTO on traffic management and by DG PHA on horticulture and landscaping.

Addressing the meeting Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that all available resources would be made available to ensure security arrangements, and Rescue-1122 centers would be established at canal and Yadgar Chowk, while CCTV cameras would also be installed at different routes, bus stations and junctions to ensure foolproof security. He directed that the security system should remain functional 24 hours continuously, and all related aspects should be reviewed, while making security arrangements. He directed further expediting development work on park and ride and at bus stations, including ensuring expeditious installations of escalator. He said special escalators attention should be paid to the quality of construction material, while every development work should be completed properly. He directed that all under construction development work ought to be completed within timeframe.

He said E-ticking booths would be constructed at stations while best traffic arrangements have been made for alternative traffic routes to lessen the difficulties of people. Chief Minister directed CTO to ensure smooth flow of traffic, during the construction work. He said provision of facilities to the people is the top priority of the government, and all impediments in smooth flow of traffic should be removed. Chief Minister further directed making comprehensive planning to ensure beautiful landscaping, along the bus routes whereas he would review the pilot project prepared for horticulture and landscaping during his next visit. Chief Minister directed that the 28-km long route of metro bus project should be made a best tourist place, and ordered that a comprehensive planning should be made to set up coffee shops, tuck shops and other recreational facilities for tourists at different places.

He directed DG PHA to complete horticulture work over the flyovers in a beautiful manner, while the pillars of bridges should be outsourced to be utilized for advertisement purposes. During the meeting, the Chief Minister took strict notice of incidents of breakage of water-pipes at the construction route and the difficulties faced by the citizens in this regard. He admonished the Managing Director WASA, and ordered him to ensure immediate redressal of complaints of citizens. He warned that if he received such complaints again, strict action would be taken against the concerned authorities.