Shahbaz Sharif visits Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus project

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that foundation of a new transport culture is being laid in the province through metro bus projects. He said that Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus project will bring about a revolution in transport sector and result in speedy, economical, comfortable and safe travelling facility to the masses.

He was addressing a high level briefing meeting regarding Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus project after visiting 23-kilometer track and various stations of metro bus project from Sadr Rawalpindi to Pak Secretariat, Islamabad early in the morning today.

Chairman Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Members Assembly Malik Abrar, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Shakeel Awan, Zia Ullah Shah, Director Metro Bus Project Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahid Saeed besides senior officers of Rawalpindi-Islamabad administration, CDA, Police and representatives of contractor companies were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister He said that a splendid culture is developing in Pakistan and mega projects of a high standard are being executed in a transparent manner. He said that as a result of solid measures taken by Pakistan Muslim League-N, there is a considerable decrease in corruption and Pakistan’s ranking has improved with regard to control over corruption.

He said that an organized system of modern, affordable and comfortable transport had not developed in Pakistan in any era since the creation of the country. However, he said, due to metro bus project, a mass transit system of international standard is becoming available to the citizens first time in the history of the country and now the people of all walks of life will be able to reach their place of work and destinations on time. He said that a revolutionary change will be introduced in public transport sector as a result of completion of Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus project.

He directed concerned authorities to complete the finishing work of metro bus project within a week so that people of the twin cities could avail a transport service of international standard. He directed that debris on the route of the project be removed immediately. He said that plantation work on both sides of the route be completed by working round the clock and due attention be paid to the finishing and beautification of the pillars of metro bus, bus stations, underpasses and other places. He said that issues regarding quality and finishing of metro bus project be removed immediately and horticulture and decoration work of the stations be completed within a week. He said that the companies and the persons who displayed good performance in the execution of metro bus project will be encouraged while in case of any defect or flaw, those concerned will be held accountable.

The Chief Minister further said that a comprehensive planning is being made for security and prevention of accidents on all stations and the track of metro bus project while arrangements will be made especially on the metro bus track in Islamabad for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that the construction companies should immediately remove the debris from both sides of the track especially from Murree Road while pillars of overhead track and all stations should be beautifully decorated. He said that lakhs of people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will benefit from metro bus project.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the patience displayed by the citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad especially traders during the construction work of Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus project. He further said that no planning had ever been made for mass transit system in Pakistan. However, he said, after Lahore, metro bus project in Rawalpindi will result in availability of a quality transport system to the masses. He said that the scope of this system will gradually be extended to other big cities of the country under a phased programme.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the hard work of the administrative team, technical experts and construction companies associated with the project and said that due to their efforts, the project is near completion and will soon be inaugurated.

Project Director Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project Commissioner Zahid Saeed informed the Chief Minister said that 98 percent work of the project has been completed while 23 out of 24 bus stations have also been completed. He said that though sit-ins and rains had caused delay in the completion of the project, however it has been executed expeditiously. He said that construction work of the 24^th station of the metro bus project located on Pak Secretariat and D-Chowk area was started five months late due to sit-ins.

Earlier, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif reached Sadr Rawalpindi early in the morning and inspected the entire route of the project by metro bus and ordinary coaster without any protocol. He first inspected Sadr station of metro bus project and reached Liaqat Bagh by metro bus from where he boarded an ordinary coaster and while travelling on Murree Road inspected Committee Chowk underpass, Waris Khan, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rehmanabad stations.

The Chief Minister again boarded metro bus at Rehmanabad station and stopped at Shamsabad, Faizadabad and IJP stations and reviewed underpasses and other facilities for the passengers. The Chief Minister while travelling on the track of metro bus, inspected construction work of the project at 9^th Avenue, Peshawar Mor, Blue Area and Pak Secretariat and gained first hand information about the project at different places. He issued instructions for accelerating the pace of horticulture work and improving its standard. Assembly Members, officers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations, police authorities and contractors accompanied the Chief Minister on this occasion. The Chief Minister’s visit to Rawalpindi lasted seven hours.