Rs30bn for metro bus

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD, Jun 19: The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus project would be launched in November and Rs30 billion have already been allocated for it, a senior official of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said on Wednesday.

CDA Traffic Engineering Director Azam Lodhi said the Asian Development Bank had already completed the pre-feasibility study of the project. “The final feasibility report will be completed by next month and tenders will soon be floated in the international media,” he said.

A senior CDA official, requesting anonymity, said the CDA could not manage a practical transport service using its own resources and had decided to link the project with Rawalpindi to acquire the Punjab government’s assistance.

The CDA would also request the Punjab government to ply a fleet of 50 buses, he added.

The official said a report had been submitted before the CDA’s board for approval and the Planning Wing of CDA had already marked the possible locations of bus stations.

The source said the civic authority had repeatedly announced the launch of a mass transit system, but financial constraints made it difficult for the project to materialise.

“Now this dream will come true as the federal government has allocated a hefty amount for the project,” he said.