ECNEC approves Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metro Bus Project costing Rs 23.839 billion
The National Economic Council (ECNEC) executive committee Saturday approved the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project (Islamabad portion: 13.09 km) at a total cost of Rs 23.839 billion.
The Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting that discussed and approved the mega project subject to clearance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report by the competent authority. The federal and Punjab government will share the total cost of project. The federal government will contribute Rs 13.419 billion whereas the Punjab government will chip in Rs 10.419 billion.
The Metro Bus System will be a world class facility being provided to the residents of twin cities, as per international standard and as per the vision of the prime minister of Pakistan. Construction of long awaited Peshawar Mor Interchange under this project will go a long way in redressal of congestion problem at this intersection, which will provide a big relief to the residents and help in smooth flow of traffic during peak hours.
MBS project will start from IJ Principal Road at Faizabad where Rawalpindi portion terminates and will traverse through IJ Principal Road, 9th Avenue, Jinnah Avenue and finally terminate at Pakistan Secretariat. The Islamabad portion that is 13.9 km shall include Peshawar Mor Interchange as per CDA design and includes provision of 14 bus stations with allied facilities.
The project envisages construction of 13.9 km long dedicated signal-free corridor of 9.60 to 10.10 meters width at normal section and from 19 to 21.10 meters width at Metro Bus System stations and tranches in Islamabad. The proposed corridor will be capable of accommodating articulated buses running simultaneously in both directions.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman, federal secretaries and senior officials from central and provincial governments.
