The much-trumpeted Metro Bus Service project was inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at a ceremony here on Sunday.
A high-level Turkish delegation, led by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, attended the inaugural ceremony of the multi-billion rupees project at the invitation of Punjab government. PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif was also present on this occasion.
According to organizers, 27- kilometer long distance from Gajjumata to Shahdara would be covered in 55 minutes.
Strict security measures were taken by law enforcement agencies on this occasion.
Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, foreign diplomats and Turkish delegation is now taking a ride of the bus.
Addressing the ceremony‚ Punjab Chief Minister‚ Shahbaz Sharif said that the Metro Bus Service Project will help in providing modern‚ comfortable and affordable transport service to all segments of society‚ especially for poor people.
He said that this project will also help in closing the gap between the modes of transport being used by the rich and poor classes as both will use it to reach their destinations in less time.
He said that completion of Metro Bus Service Project is a milestone in the history of development works in Pakistan.
He said that PML(N) will launch further such mega projects in future.
He thanked the Turkish Government for extending its all kind of cooperation for timely completion of this project.
The Chief Minister has announced a cash prize of one crore among labourers, who worked day and night to complete this great project.
Metro bus service would be free of charge for the general public for the first four weeks.
A modern e-ticketing system has been introduced for the bus project, which would have special reserved seats for women and the disabled.
Earlier‚ the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister distributed the appreciation certificates among the workers and technicians of the Project.
Addressing at the inauguration ceremony‚ the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey‚ Mr. Bekir Bozdag has said that Turkey greatly values its strong brotherly relations with Pakistan and projects like Metro Bus Service will help in further strengthening mutual relations between both countries.
The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister said that Turkish investors and businessmen will further invest in various sectors of Pakistan.
The project has been built at a cost of Rs30 billion in record times of only eleven months. Due to metro bus service, 27- kilometer long journey from Gajjumata to Shahdara, which took two hours, would now be covered in just 55 minutes.