Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that metro bus project is not just a project but a great mission and will be completed in time with missionary spirit and determination. He said that completion of the project would not only result in availability of modern, comfortable, economical and rapid transport facilities to the people but would also save their precious time. He said that temporary difficulties being faced by the people would soon be transformed into permanent relief. He said that at the beginning of metro bus service, free traveling facility will be provided to the public for four weeks.
He expressed these views after paying a surprise visit to metro bus project early Sunday morning and later presiding over a high level meeting to review the security plan and the pace of progress of metro bus project at Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Lahore Transport Company Chairman Ahmad Hasaan, Member Provincial Assembly Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, BRT project director, LDA director general, Lahore DCO and others were also present. Shahbaz said that work on metro bus project was continuing round the clock and this splendid public welfare project will soon be completed. The CM also visited metro bus depot to inspect the construction work and directed the contractor to complete the remaining work as soon as possible. He said that bus depot was being set up over 158 kanal land and modern facilities of parking of buses would be available at the depot. The CM also directed the concerned authorities and the contractors to complete the construction work of the drain being built along metro bus project quickly. He said that an eight kilometers long bridge was also being constructed for metro bus project and directed that it should be completed at the earliest.
Later, presiding over a high level meeting at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the CM 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 security model of metro bus project of Turkey should be considered and a report be submitted to him. He said that CCTV cameras would be installed on the entire route of the bus service which will be directly linked with the central control room. He said that instead of the traditional security system, a unique and modern system should be introduced for metro bus project. The CM directed contractors to complete their work within the timeline and the process of transportation of construction material from different places to the site of the project should be further expedited. He said that the roads of the route should be completed speedily and no compromise would be made on the quality of material used in the construction of the roads. The CM directed DG LDA to make immediate payments for the land acquired from the citizens for the implementation of the project and there should be no delay in this regard. 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. The contractors working on the project assured the CM of their complete cooperation.
