LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Monday gave his nod for the construction of an expressway connecting major city roads with the Motorway (M2) at Babu Sabu Interchange.
The chief minister chaired a meeting to review the elevated expressway project. Provincial ministers Mian Aslam Iqbal, Asad Khokhar, DG LDA and others attended the meeting.
The chief minister gave in-principle approval to construct an elevated expressway from Gulberg to Motorway (M2). This expressway will cover Canal Bank Road, Jail Road, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road and Band Road to Babu Sabu. A bus passageway will also be constructed alongside. The meeting was informed that the project will ease the daily movement of the citizens as the traffic load will be reduced by 65 per cent on the major roads.
Meanwhile, the chief minister inaugurated a fleet of 64 new environment-friendly buses for the Lahore metro bus service at a ceremony held at metro bus depot Ferozepur Road on Monday. Usman Buzdar formally handed over the buses to Punjab Masstransit Authority and inspected the facilities after unveiling the plaque.
Usman Buzdar also inaugurates new fleet of metro buses
Addressing the ceremony, the CM said that the provincial capital and Lahorites had significant importance and the government was striving hard to solve their problems on a priority basis. He said that underpasses and overhead bridges were being constructed to overcome traffic problems besides improving the transport system. “This 18-meter-long bus will prove the best transport facility and the Lahore Masstransit Authority will provide the best travelling facility to 1.25 lakh passengers daily,” he observed.
“The PTI-led government has saved resources worth more than Rs2 billion in contracts with VEDA. The earlier deal was signed with a foreign company while the current contract is signed with a Pakistani company to save foreign reserves while encouraging local businesses,” he maintained. He said the current government completed and functionalised the orange line metro train project in the best national interest. “Its fare is limited to Rs40 only. Around 6.3 billion rupees subsidy was also being given to this project despite the financial crunch,” he said.
The CM disclosed that an electric bus project will be started in Lahore to overcome environmental pollution and new environmentally friendly buses will also be introduced in major cities of the province. He said there was a shortage of passengers in feeder buses, but the introduction of the cash fare system had resulted in a hundred per cent and 26 per cent increase in the number of commuters in Lahore and the Multan feeder buses respectively.
Also, the chief minister said that Punjab Vehicle Inspection and Certification System introduced in 27 districts will help overcome road accidents and environmental degradation. He said that the scope of such centres will be expanded to the whole of the province. “The government has also extended the duration of VICS fitness certificates for six months,” he continued. Usman Buzdar disclosed that an excel load management system will be introduced in nine districts to protect the roads. He said it had also been decided to expand the scope of Lahore Transport Company by renaming it as Punjab Transport Company to provide modern transport facilities in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Mianwali and DG Khan. He further said a modern bus terminal will be constructed at Thokar Niaz Beg with Rs3 billion.
The government, he said, was committed to introducing a modern mass transit system in major cities to provide best transport facilities to the public. “Public service is a priority agenda, and the government will continue to serve the masses with commitment and zeal,” the CM concluded. Transport Minister Jahazeb Khichi and MD PMA also addressed the function. Provincial ministers Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, Yawar Bukhari, Mohsin Leghari, parliamentarians Sadaqat Abbasi, Karamat Khokhar, Nadeem Bara, Punjab chief secretary, and secretary transport attended the ceremony.