Metro Bus Project is in the final stages of completion:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that and modern and comfortable metro buses will soon be operational for the benefit of the masses. He said that this splendid project of public service is being completed by the Punjab government with its own resources. He said that metro bus project is being executed within a record period of eleven months whereas it took two and a half years for the completion of this project in Turkey. He said that metro bus project is indeed a wonder of transport and will bring about revolutionary changes in transport sector.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while talking to citizens during his visit to various sections of metro bus project, here today. He reviewed the pace of construction work and issued on the spot instructions to the concerned authorities. Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmed Hasaan, Managing Director Punjab Metro Bus Authority Sibtain Fazal Haleem, Director General LDA Ahad Khan Cheema and other concerned officials were present on the occasion. DG LDA gave a briefing to the Chief Minister regarding progress on various sections.

The Chief Minister said that metro bus project has been launched successfully on experimental basis and the way the people have appreciated it has given him confidence that when metro buses became operational on regular basis elite will also be proud to travel on metro buses along with the common man. He said that metro bus project has been launched with a missionary spirit and it being completed with the same commitment. He said that metro bus service is a historic achievement of Punjab government of Pakistan Muslim League-N and will result in safe, comfortable, speedy and economical transport facilities to the masses. He said that despite severe cold, work is in progress on the project round the clock and he is sure that this splendid project will rid the people of transport problems. He said that the first consignment of metro buses has reached Lahore while the remaining buses will soon arrive. He said that excellent arrangements have been made at bus stations for the convenience of passengers while the entire system is being linked with the electronic system. Similarly, he said, control rooms are being established at all stations.

The Chief Minister further said that with the launching of metro bus service, the citizens will be able to reach their destination within shortest possible time and in a comfortable manner. The Chief Minister inspected construction work of metro bus project from Gajjumata to Azadi Chowk and directed authorities concerned to complete the installation of escalators expeditiously while the work on provision of facilities at the stations should be completed within the fixed period. The Chief Minister also visited the bus depot being constructed for metro buses and also inspected the buses stationed there. The Chief Minister directed that all necessary facilities should be made available at the bus depot. He also inspected the newly-constructed bridge along Lahore Bridge. He visited Kalma Chowk underpass project and took a briefing regarding the pace of work. He directed authorities concerned that the completion of Kalma Chowk underpass project within stipulated period should be ensured at any cost and LESCO authorities should be contacted for the immediate shifting of electric poles and wires.

The Chief Minister also gave instructions for horticulture and landscaping on the route of metro bus. He also inspected construction work at the rotary turn near MAO College.Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited metro bus project for more than three hours today in severe cold and dense fog and without security and protocol, and reviewed the pace of work at different sections. He inspected metro bus project from Gajumata to Azadi Chowk. People at various places, upon seeing the Chief Minister, raised slogans of “Shahbaz Sharif Zindabad” and “Aya Aya Sher Shah Suri Aya”. The Chief Minister took shook hands with the people and labourers and appreciated the fact at they were working despite extreme cold. Traffic was not stopped at any place during the three hour long visit of the Chief Minister.