The Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) had proposed the tram as a solution to the traffic problems of Gulberg a couple of years ago. The project was a part of a plan to transform Gulberg into a state-of the-art residential district.
Al-Imam Enterprisers were given the contract to work on the feasibility report on January 20, 2010. They were to get Rs2.8 billion for the study.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Al Imam Enterprisers chief executive officer (CEO), Ahmad Mukhtar, said if there were any irregularities they would be exposed in the third party validation by the Nespak currently underway. He regretted that his firm was not asked for its comments before publishing of reports in newspapers on irregularities in the award of the contract.
He said the tram project was central to solving the traffic issues in Gulberg. He said busses alone could not meet the demand.
TEPA director Israr Saeed said though the study on the tram project was halted, they would soon get reports on, and launch, other projects. He said the priority at the moment was the construction of parking plazas. He said the tram project had not been abandoned. He said that would only happen if sufficient funds could not be raised.
He said the TEPA had estimated around Rs4.5 billion for four more parking plazas, Rs4 billion for other infrastructure facilities and around Rs12 billion for the tram project.
Besides the tram, the plan included provision of better utility services infrastructure including under-ground electricity cables in areas around Noor Jehan Road, MM Alam Road, Hali Road and the Gulburg Mian Boulevard. It also proposed construction of four parking plazas: in front of the HKB Shopping Mall, at the Liberty Market Parking Area, at Ghalib Market and on the MM Alam Road, at Doongi Ground near Mini Market.
Eight stations were planned for the tram, four connected to the parking plazas and four leading to the shopping areas.
The track length was estimated at around 5 kilometres.
Arif Mehmood, who owns a business at Liberty Market, criticised the plan, saying it was bound to be a waste of money. He said only the rich came to the Liberty Market for shopping. “Do you expect them to park their vehicles at parking plazas or to travel by a tram?” he asked.
He said the business community had not been consulted for their view on the plan.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2011.
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