New mass transit approved for capital

13 ‘feeder routes’ will connect commuters from various sectors to central metro bus stations

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) board has given approval to start 13 new ‘feeder routes’ to connect commuters from various sectors of Islamabad to the central metro bus stations.

In the first phase, the feeder network comprising 13 routes with 128 buses will be completed by the end of 2023. Islamabad’s sectors F, G and I as well as D-12 will be connected to the central metro network through the new routes.

These feeder routes will provide comfortable and international standard travel facilities to around 100,000 commuters. Under the project, Route-1 will be from Police Foundation to Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station, Route-2 from Allama Iqbal University to Pothohar Station, Route-3 be from Shifa International Hospital to I/8 Markaz, Route-4 from PIMS Hospital to Embassy Road via G-7, G-6, Melody Market, NADRA stop, Route-5 from D-12 to G-10, Route-6 from F-11 to F-8 Markaz, Route-7 from G-11, G-10, G-9 and G8 Markaz.

Similarly, Route-3-A will be from PIMS Hospital to Secretariat via Jinnah Super Market and Super Market, Route-3-B from Aabpara to Taramri Chowk, Nilore and up to Khana Bridge, Route-9 will be from Pirwidhai Chowk to Faizabad, IJP Road, Route-10-B will be from 17 to 26 Number Chungi, Route-11 will be from I/16 to 26 Number Chungi.

The CDA board also approved redesigning of Serena Chowk and the construction of a single-barrel underpass in the federal capital.

The CDA abolished the entry fee to all public parks of Islamabad. Now, the public will have free entry to these parks.

Currently, the CDA collects the entry fee from people visiting Lake View Park and Japanese Park.

These decisions were taken at the civic agency’s board meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal. All CDA board members attended the meeting.

The CDA board decided to abolish the entry fee to all public parks in Islamabad to promote healthy activities.

The CDA said that the entry fee has been abolished in all major parks of Islamabad including F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park, Lake View Park, Daman-e- Koh and Shakarparian.

The CDA board also approved the operation of feeder buses on 13 more routes in Islamabad. Along with these 13 feeder routes, five depots have also been approved.

Similarly, the CDA board also approved the operation of buses on the route from PIMS Hospital to Faisal Masjid, NDU and back to PIMS Hospital.

The board also approved bids received after the auction of commercial plots held last month.

The CDA board approved the construction of six parking plazas in different centers to eliminate parking problems in Islamabad. Under this project, one parking plaza will be constructed at F-8 Markaz, two at F-10 Markaz, one at I-8 Markaz, one at G-9 Markaz and one parking plaza near Blue Area.

Similarly, the board also approved hiring consultancy services for the construction project of the National Bus Service in Sector I-11. The board also approved the construction of a bus terminal at I-11.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2023.