New transport system for Islamabad being weighed

Capital Development Authority carrying out three studies including study on feeder routes to the metro bus service

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is currently carrying out three different studies related to an urban transport system in Islamabad that includes feeder routes for the metro bus service.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided $100,000 financial support for the studies that are expected to be completed by coming September.



Pakistan Sustainable Transport Project (Pakstran) is coordinating the project.

The first study includes devising a strategy to implement Islamabad Bus Service (IBS) project.

Rough draft of the project, conceived in 2012 and approved by the civic agency board in 2014 still rests in files with no on-ground development on it.

It covers three different routes including Rawat to Secretariat, Bhara Kahu to F-8 and the IJ Principal  Road to the Pakistan Secretariat.

However, the project has yet to materialise due to the absence of required technical knowledge.

“Under this study, technical assistance has been provided to the CDA to carve out a strategy to implement the IBS plan,” Dr Saleem Janjua, Pakstran national project manager said.

It would include carrying out ridership survey on routes suggested under the plan and possible financial model of the project.

The second study involves reviewing the feeder routes to the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service.



The National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) before the construction of the metro bus service had identified some possible feeder routes in its study based on ridership in each sector of the capital city.

The third study focuses on ascertaining environmental analysis of the metro bus service, Janjua said.

Meanwhile, the CDA spokesperson said that the studies were initiated in April 2016 and were likely to complete by coming September.

He said that once the studies were completed, the CDA would be in a better position to execute its urban transport project.

The CDA is scheduled to brief the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry about the plan and progress on urban transport project today (Tuesday).

According to a statement issued by the public relations directorate of the civic agency, the CDA chairperson on Monday held a meeting over the issue.



He directed the formations of the CDA to submit a feasible plan within a week so that practical work on the project could be started at the earliest.

The chairperson said, “There isn’t any proper transport system to cater to the needs of residents of suburban areas. There is a need to accelerate the project.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2016.