- First batch of Metro buses reaches Rawalpindi, commuters irked by delay in completion
The first batch of seventeen Metro buses was received from Turkey for the multibillion-rupee Metro bus project, which is meant to cater to the twin cities. The remaining buses are expected to reach ahead of the formal inauguration of the project, which is being delayed due to slow construction by the contractors.
The project which was to be completed by December 31, 2014 was delayed till January 31, 2015, under the pretext that contractors could not carry out the work at the desired pace due to the sit ins orchestrated by PTI and PAT. It was later extended to February 15, 2015, but in view of the speed of ongoing work at different places, it is unlikely to be completed by the given date once again.
Though the people travelling between the twin cities have pinned lot of hopes on the buses, as their fares would be much cheaper in comparison to the past, while the time taken to travel would also reduce considerably. Despite this, they are irked by the continuing delay. An estimated 200,000 people would travel daily through the buses.
Experts, however, are of the opinion that there is a need for integrated road networks to increase the passengers that can avail the benefits of the project. They believe that there should be feeder routes to enhance the utility of the project. They were of the opinion that it would be appropriate to start new routes from Chuhr Chowk to 9th Avenue, so that people living along the IJP road can catch the bus near the double road crossing.
Commuters have strongly criticised the delay in the completion of the project and were of the view that the contractors have reduced the labour force and some of them have stopped the night shifts to delay it further. They demanded that the contractors delaying the project should be fined and in no way be allowed any further extensions for completion.
They said that for the last year they have been facing difficulties in travelling between the twin cities due to the project as it is taking them around two and a half hours to travel in just one direction between Saddar and Blue Ara Islamabad. They requested Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif to make an urgent visit to the site as only he can ensure that the project is completed on time.
