The multi-billion metro bus service project for the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad is likely to be inaugurated on January 31, 2015, an official associated with the project said on Friday.
He said that the project was earlier expected to be completed by the end of the ongoing year but due to the sit-ins in the Capital the prject has been delayed and would now be completed in January 2015.
He said that contractors of the project had demanded a six-month extension for completion of the work but only one month extension was allowed. “This is a public welfare project and work on it is continuing at a fast pace,” he asserted.
The project, which aims to cater to the needs of thousands of commuters, was launched earlier this year in March. As many as 64 buses will ply on the metro bus route.
The project starting from near Flashman Hotel on Mall Road, Rawalpindi and following the existing Murree Road upto Faizabad, will turn left into the Federal territory and follow IJP Road up to 9th Avenue. Then, it will turn right and follow 9th Avenue in Islamabad. Thereafter, it will turn right on Jinnah Avenue up to the end of Blue Area. From Blue Area a connection to Secretariat Stop will be provided through the open space behind parade ground. The bus routre will cross Constitution Avenue and another couple of main roads via underpasses.
The official said there had always been an issue of public transport in Islamabad but the government had started working on three new routes. “No public transport is operating in the capital at present and private transporters ply different routes,” he added. Sharing the details he said that at present, 23 inter-city routes were operating in Islamabad of which two were launched over the past six months.