Rs 7.65b so far fed to capital’s Metro Bus Project

The federal government has so far released about Rs 7.65 billion for the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project likely to be completed in 10 months.

Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms spokesman Asif Sheikh said that these funds were released under the federal development budget. He said that the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already accorded approval to this project.

Sheikh further said more funds will be allocated for this project in the budget for the fiscal year 2014-15. The project is likely to be completed in January-February 2015 as it will be completed in 10 months, he added.

The project is feasible and a revolutionary step to benefit hundreds of thousands of labourers, students and low paid employees travelling between the twin cities.

A minimal fare of Rs 20 will be charged from the commuters and the bus will ferry them to their respective destinations in 20 to 25 minutes.

According to official sources, the project has permission and No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PEPA).

The project has been awarded to the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) while Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been asked to extend all possible cooperation in this regard.

The experts and other stakeholders have highly appreciated the project and lauded the government’s commitment to complete more such projects during its five-year tenure.

The official said that it was the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to give every facility to the needy and poor of the country. He agreed that some trees have to be cut during execution of the project but he mentioned that there was an alternate plan of planting more than those being cut. He said that affected shop owners have also been compensated.