Wheels of change set rolling

The metropolitan presented a sight of a festival all along the route of the bus rapid transit system (BRTS), as Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the most-advanced urban transport system on Sunday. It was not just the inaugural of the BRTS, but a festival to celebrate all projects the Punjab government has launched so far.
The colourful inauguration event was tastefully organised by Zareen & Shazreh Khalid events and highlighted the friendship between Pakistan and Turkey. Over 3,000 dignitaries and diplomats were in attendance at the event, which was one of the most graceful and well organised event official events the city has seen.
All departments concerned had set up billboards and flexes and people danced to the beats of thumping drums at various stations, all celebrating the success story of the Punjab government.
Local politicians had also set up mini stages along the route at various points where they were delivering speeches to praise their leadership.
A high-level Turkish delegation, led by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, attended the inaugural ceremony of the Rs 30 billion-rupees project at the invitation of Punjab government. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif was also present at the ceremony. Strict security measures were taken by law enforcement agencies on this occasion.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, CM Shahbaz Sharif, foreign diplomats and Turkish delegation also took a ride of the bus.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony‚ Shahbaz said the metro bus service project would help provide modern‚ comfortable and affordable transport service to all segments of society‚ especially to the poor.
He said the project would also help in closing the gap between the modes of transport being used by the rich and poor classes, as both would use it to reach their destinations in lesser time.
The CM said the completion of bus project was a milestone in the history of development work in Pakistan, adding that the PML-N would launch more such mega projects in future.
He thanked the Turkish government for extending all kinds of cooperation for the timely completion of the project.
The chief minister announced a cash prize of Rs 10 million for the labourers who worked day and night to complete the project.
“The metro bus service would be free of charge for the general public for the first four weeks,” Shahbaz added.
“A modern e-ticketing system has been introduced for the bus project, which would have special reserved seats for women and the disabled.”
Earlier‚ the Turkish deputy prime minister distributed appreciation certificates among the workers and technicians of the project.
Addressing at the inauguration ceremony‚ the Turkish deputy prime minister said Turkey greatly valued its brotherly relations with Pakistan and projects like metro bus service would help further the mutual relations between the two countries.
The Punjab government has spent Rs 29.8 billion for completing the Metro Bus Project through its own resources to facilitate the general public.
Punjab Planning and Development Board Chairman Javaid Aslam told reporters said the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) was acknowledged as the cheapest mass transit system for general public and the service was presently being operated in over 60 countries of the world.
“Any city with a population of over five million badly needs a mass transit system and BRTS for Lahore has been chosen as most optimal system based on international experiences,” he added.
Later, the CM held a dinner in honour of the Turkish delegation that was attended by politicians and notables.