LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the Metro Bus Project is a mission, and that it will be completed on time with missionary spirit and determination.
Paying a surprise visit to the Metro Bus Project site early Sunday morning, Shahbaz said that the completion of this project would not only lead to availability of modern, comfortable, economical and rapid transport facilities to the people but also save their precious time. “The project will enable common citizens and students to reach their destination on time and the temporary difficulties being faced by the people will be soon transformed into permanent relief.”
The chief minister said that at the beginning of the metro bus service, free travelling facility would be provided to the public for four weeks. He maintained that the work on metro bus project was continuing round-the-clock and this public welfare project would be soon completed. “The metro bus service will lead to the availability of modern travelling facilities for the masses.”
Shahbaz also visited the Metro Bus Depot to inspect the construction work there and directed the contractor to complete the remaining work at the earliest. He said that the depot was being set up at more than 158-kanal land and modern facilities of parking of buses would be available there.
The chief minister directed the authorities concerned and contractors to speedily complete the construction work of the drain being built along the Metro Bus Project. He said that an 8-km long bridge was also being constructed for the Metro Bus Project and directed that it should be completed at the earliest.
Later, presiding over a high-level meeting held to review the security plan of and the pace of work on the Metro Bus Project at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Shahbaz directed that a comprehensive and foolproof security plan should be evolved for the project and effective patrolling should be arranged on the route. He said that the security model of Turkey’s Metro Bus Project should be considered and a report submitted to him in this regard.
The chief minister said that CCTV cameras would be installed on the entire route of the bus service, which would be directly linked with the central control room. He added that instead of the traditional security system, a unique and modern system would be introduced for the Metro Bus Project.
Shahbaz directed the contractors to complete their work within the timeline and further expedite the process of transportation of construction material from different places to the project site. “The roads of the route should be speedily completed and no compromise made on the quality of material used in their construction.”
The chief minister directed the Lahore Development Authority director general to make immediate payments for the land acquired from the citizens for the implementation of the project. He said that he was grateful to the people who extended full cooperation in the implementation of the project, and faced problems and hardships for this mission.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the aim of national progress and prosperity could only be achieved by equipping the new generation with the latest knowledge. Talking to Pak-Turk Education Foundation Chairman Unal Tosur during a meeting, Shahbaz said that considering this the Punjab government had adopted a solid strategy for the promotion of modern and quality education in the province.
The chief minister said more than 0.1 million laptops had been distributed among talented boy and girl students on merit, while the second phase of laptops distribution programme was being started from Bahawalpur under which more than 0.1 laptops would be given, and the brilliant students of evening classes and seminaries would also be eligible for the programme. He said that the schools run by the Pak-Turk Education Foundation were playing an important role in the promotion of quality education.
Also, Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in a bus accident at Chakwal. In his condolence message, the chief minister prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude. Meanwhile, the chief minister directed the local administration to provide best medical facilities to the injured.