‘OLMT completed in larger public interest’

Provincial Transport Minister Jahanzeb Khan Khichi on Thursday said despite reservations, the present Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government demonstrating responsibility, completed the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project in the larger public interest.

He was addressing a press conference on government's performance along with Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan. Khichi said the multi-billion project was now completed and a huge subsidy on its fare was being given so that maximum number of people could benefit from it.

The minister said original operational fare per person was at Rs160 but an affordable rate of Rs40 was finalised by the government despite the rise in dollar price at the time of launching the project.

He said the incumbent government, on expiry of the previous contract of Metro Bus, had signed a new contract on much lower rates which would save huge money of exchequer.

To bring more transparency, the old manual system related to transport routes had also been replaced with digital one by the department, he added.

He said, Lahore being worst affected by smog and transport emissions was a major contributor in it, the chief minister had given principal approval to bring electric buses in the city and other areas of the province as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2020.