MULTAN
Various traders, industrialists, political and civil society circles as well as common citizens here have unanimously rejected Multan Metro Bus project and demanded that the government should spend about Rs40 billion on health, education and water and sanitation projects instead.
The rejection came during an all parties conference held by Mutahidda Shehri Mahaaz on the project as well as Commissioner Multan’s consultation meeting with the members of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The participants of the APC unanimously adopted a resolution against the project and wanted that if the project was kicked off on August 14, the members of all opposition political parties, religious and civil society organisations would hold demonstration during its inauguration ceremony. PPPP leaders Khurshid Khan, Khalid Hanif Lodhi and M Salim Raja, PTI’s Ijaz Janjua and Khalid Javed Warraich, JUP’s Ayub Moghal, Saraikistan Awami Ittehad Prof Muhammad Hanif and others pointed out that the project would ruin Multan’s historical heritage and culture. They alleged that at least Rs7 billion kickbacks would be paid to the PML-N leadership by the company on the project.
Similarly, the MCCI members pointed out that majority of citizens used their own transport for movement in the city. They suggested to the government to spend a few billion rupees on road widening, induction of new vehicles in public transport system and elimination of encroachments from the roads instead of launching metro project. “This will rid the city of all traffic and transportation problems,” they hoped.
Earlier, briefing the MCCI members, Multan Commissioner Capt (r) Asadullah Khan said that all sections of society were being consulted on Metro bus project on direction of government to submit a report on it on August 8. He said that the cost of the Metro Bus Service Project was likely to increase from the estimated Rs32 billion to Rs39.5 billion and its two routes were suggested besides extension of seven kilometer in the design.
He said that no political interference and pressure was accepted when the route scheme was being finalised. Under the project, the project cost — Rs39.5 billion — will be equally shared by the federal and the Punjab governments. The Punjab government has already allocated Rs19.5 billion for the portion of the project in Multan, he noted. He said that tenders would be invited from international firms so that good quality work could be done at site.
The DCO said that an area for Multan Gym Khana club was increased to 27 acres from 11 acres and its design was also changed and it would be constructed in two phases and a modern prison would be constructed on Mati-Tal road while the livestock department has promised to complete the Safari park project within 4 months.
He further said that Multan-Faisalabad motorway would be completed in a few days. “Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Metro Bus is a splendid project of public service and is being opposed only by a specific group of people who are against public service in Pakistan,” he said.
He added that work on the project would begin in current months and will continue with full enthusiasm until its completion. The chief minister stressed a need for completing the project within the given deadline as he would not be extending it any further. He expressed hope that the new transport project will bring relief to the transport woes of citizens of the Multan city.
Meanwhile, the district administration has launched a survey to gauge public reaction on the project as survey forms were being distributed among the residents of the areas falling on the route of the bus. Sources said that the detailed report based on the results of the survey will be produced before the chief minister. The sources added that the survey was launched on a special directive from the government after receiving strong opposition of the project from the public.