RDA awards metrobus track repair contract

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has awarded the contract for the maintenance and repair of the nine-kilometre elevated corridor of the Rawalpindi section of the metro bus service.

This metro bus service, operating for the past nine years, connects the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The elevated corridor, which has significantly deteriorated, causes jolts to the metro buses, leading to passenger inconvenience. The maintenance work, expected to be completed within six months, aims to address these issues. Initially, the RDA sought pre-qualification from contractor firms for a contract worth Rs. 625 million for the construction and repair of the corridor stretching from Rawalpindi Saddar to Faizabad. Following the completion of the pre-qualification process, the contract was awarded to Salman Enterprises for Rs620 million.

The metro bus service, launched on June 3, 2015, was designed to provide a quality and affordable travel facility to the citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The 24-kilometre track, built at a cost of Rs44 billion, includes a station every kilometre from Rawalpindi Saddar to the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad. Despite its success, the lack of maintenance and repairs since 2015 has rendered the track dilapidated and dangerous.

To mitigate these safety concerns, the maintenance and repair of the nine-kilometre track within Rawalpindi's limits will be undertaken in the first phase.

This phase aims to prevent the opening of track joints and ensure a complete repair of the corridor. The second phase will focus on the 14-kilometre route from Faizabad to Pak Secretariat, with maintenance and repairs handled by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The Pakistan Mass Transit Authority has released funds to the RDA for the first phase of the project. The metro bus service, which continues to provide daily transportation to approximately 200,000 passengers, remains a crucial link between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The completion of these maintenance and repair works is expected to enhance the safety and comfort of this vital transit service.