ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government C.M Shahbaz Sharif has decided to inaugurate the Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus service on April 30 so that the residents of the twin cities could travel on the buses on Labour Day.
The decision was taken at a evaluation meeting of the metro bus project on Friday and the message of the Punjab chief minister Mr. Shahbaz Sharif and the prime minister was also conveyed to the participants.
“It is now official that the Prime Minister mian Nawaz sharif will inaugurate the bus service on April 30,” said PMLN member Hanif Abbassi, the implementation committee chairman. “The time and spot for inauguration will be announced after security clearance,” he added.
The conference held at the Convention Centre was attended by MNA Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, the project director, Commissioner Zahid Saeed, CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal, relevant officers and all the contractors of the project.
The sources said Mr Abbassi said the project would be a gift for the residents of the twin cities on the occasion of May 1, which is a national holiday too.
rawalpindi metro bus
The 22.6-km-long metro bus route starts from Flashman’s Hotel, Mall Road Rawalpindi.
Since the work continues at the project from D-Chowk to Secretariat Blocks, the Bus service will initially operate up to China Chowk only.
Though the track of the bus service is almost ready, final touches are being given to the project.
Besides, numerous minor works still pending particularly at the Peshawar Mor, including the access to the underground bus station there.
In the meantime, talking to Dawn an official of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) said the only work remaining at several packages includes lane marking of roads, and other minor issues.
“These things will be done even after the bus service starts functioning – exclusively after 8 pm when the rush hours end,” the official added.
The other main issue was the water leakage from the roof of bus stations and the administrators supposed to cover this up with sealants as bus stations are made up of typically glass panels.
Metro Bus slogan: With the aim to deliver safe, efficient and comfortable urban transportation system in the key cities of Punjab including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi; the Government of Punjab has established Punjab Metro bus Authority (PMA) for construction, operation and maintenance of mass transit system.
