‘Govt, ministry of railways behind delay in bus project’

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, vice chairman Senator Mohsin Aziz has vehemently castigated the federal government and ministry of railways for creating hurdles in execution of rapid bus service project in Peshawar.

Aziz’s criticism came after the federal government offer to assist government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in launching of metro-bus like transport service in the province. However, he categorically stated the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won’t seek any sort of help from the centre to launch a bus service, but it should only allow us for execution the project, conceived by us. He said the federal government and ministry of railways have continuously shown reluctance in issuance of ‘no-objection certificate’ for the project, despite discussion with them on several occasions on the matter.

Senator Mohsin Aziz, while chairing a meeting regarding various project of the board, said that the provincial government is committed to launching the Peshawar rapid bus service, but the project may not translate into reality due to apathy of federal government and ministry of railways. He alleged the federal government has a hostile attitude towards the province.

“The public-interest project should not become victim of politics,” he said and urged the federal government not to deprive people from this cheapest transport facility, and to allow for commissioning of the project with no further delay. The project, he maintained, aims at to overcome with traffic congestion issues, by providing comfortable, economical, and fast/free flowing transport service to general public in the provincial capital Peshawar.

The board’s vice chairman explained the project was conceived by government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A feasibility study was also completed of the Peshawar Bus Rapid Tranist (BRT) a year ago. But, the ministry of Railways is showing reluctance in issuance of no-objection certificate (NoCs) to allow for execution of the project.

The board vice chairman informed that rapid bus is planned to run between Nasirpur to Hayatabad industrial estate, about 26-km long road alongside the railway line. The bus would reach from the starting point to its final destination with no halt for VIP movement except for ambulances. The road should be constructed parallel to railway track, leaving thereby, ample space for expansion, if it was required, he added.

Senator Mohsin Aziz further explained the road feasibility/map, was completed a year back. A cost of Rs 14 to Rs 15billion was estimated for the project, he added. He maintained the series of meetings with officials concerned, at the ministry of railways, held at provincial and federal level in this regard. He said the land has not been utilised, since the inception of the country. He said that the feasibility of the project was prepared in such a technical manner that no one had so far objected to it.

KP-BoIT vice chairman went on to say that the project is intended to be undertaken on fast-track after overcoming the initial hiccup of the availability of earmarked land.