PESHAWAR:
Under construction for over three years, the multi-million rupee modern mass transit solution for the congested provincial capital will formally start operations today (Thursday).
Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to arrive in the provincial capital and will formally inaugurate what was the last flagship project launched by the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). The service will then commence from the Chamkani station during the opening project.
This was disclosed by Special Assistant to K-P chief minister for Information and Local Government Kamran Bangash on Wednesday as he, along with some media people, visited the under-construction project on Wednesday.
He said that the total distance between each BRT station was 900 metres.
The ZU-BRT - the fare management system used by the service - employs third-generation technology per the universal principles that will benefit passengers, he informed.
Regarding the bicycle system in BRT, the special assistant said that as many as 360 bicycles have been arranged for passengers, adding that they can be used by both men and women.
The project’s first deadline for the completion was set as April 20, 2018, an ambitious six months after the project was launched. But the government has since failed to meet as many as six deadlines.
Trans Peshawar Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fayaz Ahmed has said that the project consists of a 27.5km main track and 31 stations. The total route length is 62km with 146 stops. The main track is connected to seven different areas of the city so that the people can travel from their areas in small buses to reach the main route.
The minimum bus fare for BRT will be Rs15 while a maximum fare of Rs50 has been set by the provincial government, the official added.
Bangash further said that three mega commercial plazas would be completed in June next year, but the bus parking areas are ready, he informed.
Further, at least 60,000 Zu travelling cards have been sold in just four days, he informed.
The BRT project had made headlines several times for its changing deadlines, ill-planning and issues with the design and quality.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in December last year after orders from the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had started an investigation into the mass transit project.
On April 25 this year, the Supreme Court had extended the stay order against the PHC’s ruling over the BRT project. The verdict of the PHC was challenged by the K-P government and the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA).
Inauguration arrangements reviewed
K-P Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz along with other officials on Wednesday also visited the BRT project to review arrangements for the opening ceremony.
The chief secretary visited the BRT Control Room and was briefed about the preparations made for its opening.
Bangash further said that three mega commercial plazas would be completed in June next year, but the bus parking areas are ready, he informed.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2020.
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