Vandalised metro stations await repairs

Three metro stations that were ransacked by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers, following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, remain unrepaired despite the lapse of four months.

According to official sources, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has been tasked with the rehabilitation of these stations, but the process of estimating the required repairs and transferring the necessary funds to the RDA has yet to be finalised by NESPak.

The protests on May 9 resulted in significant damage to the efficient and affordable metro bus service in the twin cities, disrupting the daily commute for many residents. The Shamsabad metro station was set on fire during the protests, resulting in complete destruction, while the other two stations were subjected to vandalism, causing substantial financial losses.

In response, the RDA initially estimated the losses at Shamsabad station to be approximately Rs107 million. Moreover, for the other two stations, the total estimate reached Rs146 million. However, this estimate was deemed non-technical and subsequently, NESPak was tasked with conducting a technical assessment to determine the accurate loss figures.

RDA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa stated that the responsibility for rehabilitating the three metro stations rests with the RDA, but they are awaiting NESPak's technical estimate. Once the estimate is received, it will be forwarded to the Metro Bus Authority, and funds will then be transferred to the civic body.

Meanwhile, regular commuters of the metro bus service, including Muhammad Akmal, Shiraz Ahmed, and Muhammad Amjad, expressed their frustration, emphasising that the metro system provides an affordable and efficient means of transportation for the public in the twin cities.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2023.