Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated 3-lane Muslim Town Flyover on Sunday. This is the longest flyover constructed in the country so far. This project has been completed in a period of 176 days at a cost of Rs 2 billion on the important trade way Ferozepur Road situated in the heart of provincial metropolis.
As many as 4 lakh 27 thousand vehicles will pass over a 2.6km long Muslim Town Flyover daily. There will be a saving of Rs.2.6 billion in the fuel due to smooth flow of traffic and this bridge will recoup its construction cost only within a year.
The inaugural ceremony was to be held on April 21 and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief Nawaz Sharif was supposed to open the Flyover for traffic. However, the ceremony was cancelled after Bhoja Air Line crash on April 20 but flyover was opened for traffic. The CM formally inaugurated the project along with provincial ministers, assembly members, senior officers of NLC, NESPAK, Communication and Works Department, district administration and a large number of people were also present on this occasion.
Addressing the inaugural function, the CM said provision of comfortable and rapid public transport facilities to the poor and middle class was the mission of his life. He said that a Bus Rapid Transit System of international standard was being introduced in the province for the facility of the people who were forced to travel by old buses and wagons. He said the costly cars of elite were passed near the poor passengers who were waiting on bus stops for hours and think whether they will ever get such travelling facilities. He said that now most modern air-conditioned buses to be run under a bus rapid transit system will cross these costly cars and the rich people will surprise to see that poor people are travelling in these buses comfortably and honourably without any hindrance.
Shahbaz said Punjab government had promoted the culture of completing public welfare projects of billion of rupees in record period and transparent manner. He said that due to the misdeeds of corrupt and inefficient rulers of Islamabad, the country has been plunged into darkness.
Shahbaz further said Punjab government had converted the graveyards of corruption into minerats of development through commitment, hard work and honesty. He said that Punjab government has completed development projects in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and other cities speedily and transparently.
The CM said no effort was being spared to keep the process of development free from corruption in the province.
He said Punjab had set an example with regard to high quality, transparency and timely completion of development works throughout the country. He said after Kalma Chowk Flyover, high quality of construction has also been maintained in Muslim Town Flyover. The CM disclosed that petrol pump of his relative which came in the way of Kalma Chowk Flyover project was also demolished.
The chief minister said if the people elected Pakistan Muslim League-N in the next general elections, the energy crisis would end within three years. He also announced a cash prize of Rs20 lakh for the labourers who took part in the construction of Muslim Town Flyover. Regretting the inconvenience caused to the citizens due to construction of Muslim Town Flyover, Shahbaz Sharif said that it was a temporary inconvenience which has now become a permanent convenience.