First public transport for capital on the cards

Fleet of 29 modern buses will hit capital’s roads in May

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has prepared a comprehensive plan to provide modern transport service to the citizens of Islamabad.

The city managers have put together a plan to launch the new “Islamabad bus service” in May.

Islamabad is the only capital in the world which did not have public transport for citizens.

Office-goers, students and other people use private transport as there is no proper public transport in the capital except for the metro bus service between the twin cities.

Under the CDA plan, 29 modern buses will be bought for the Islamabad bus service

Ten buses will be run from Rawat Chowk via PWD, Media Town, Faizabad Metro Bus Stop to Zero Point to Faisal Masjid.

Ten buses will ply from Tarnol to 26 Number Chungi to Islamabad Railway Station while nine buses will be run from Bara Kahu to Aabpara and up to Peshawar Mor metro bus station. Modern stops will also be built for these buses.

CDA Senior Engineer Qazi Omar said that the Islamabad bus service is a gift for the citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. “This service will be extended to other areas as well. With the increase in population, transportation problems have compounded and the new transport will be a big relief for the citizens,” he said.

He said that tenders for procurement of buses would be floated on March 15 and the service will be launched in May after the purchase of buses.

Revival of old Islamabad zoo

Meanwhile, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Amir Ali Ahmed assured that the Authority is willing to prepare a PC-I based on guidelines set by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and facilitate them in setting up and reviving the old Islamabad Zoo.

The CDA chairman, IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan, and Architect Naeem Pasha visited the old zoo site the other day. They discussed various options for reviving the place in consonance with the Islamabad High Court order.

The zoo was closed in December 2020 following an order of the Islamabad High court. Marghazar Zoo was set up in 1978. Around one million people used to visit the recreational facility annually. In May 2020, IHC directed to shift all animals from the zoo to sanctuaries.

The IWMB chairperson briefed the participants at the IWMB site office about the future plans.

She underlined that the object was to create an environment where residents of Islamabad could benefit from the site. However, there was a plan to have animatronic models of animals, a visual gallery and informative 3D shows for engaging the public and informing them about the wildlife and the need to preserve their freedom.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2022.