K-P CM orders BRT extension to Khyber

Routes to Jamrud, Tedi, Bara Bazaar, new buses and terminals planned

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday directed authorities to complete all preparatory work at the earliest for extending the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service to Jamrud, Tedi and Bara Bazaar in District Khyber.

Chairing a meeting on the proposed BRT extension, the chief minister said the expansion would significantly ease commuting between Peshawar and District Khyber, while providing residents of the tribal district with a safe, reliable and affordable public transport facility.

He added that the extension would help reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution.

During the meeting, it was decided that a dedicated ramp for the BRT service would be constructed at Karkhano Station at an estimated cost of Rs500 million.

Officials briefed the meeting on infrastructure requirements, fleet expansion and operational arrangements for the new routes.

It was informed that to initiate BRT operations for Jamrud and Bara bazaars, 12 new 12-metre buses would be procured.

Eight bus stops will be established along a five-kilometre stretch from Karhano Market to Jamrud Bazaar, while ten bus stops will be set up over a seven-kilometre stretch from Pishtakhara to Bara Bazaar.

The meeting was told that the BRT system currently operates 18 routes covering a total distance of 132 kilometres.

Meanwhile, the chief minister separately also finalised a three-day political outreach visit to Sindh beginning January 9, during which he will address bar associations, meet civil society representatives and lead a street movement.

Afridi will embark on a three-day political outreach visit to Sindh from January 9 to January 12, during which he is set to address bar associations in Karachi and Hyderabad, meet civil society representatives and lead a street movement.

According to the finalised schedule released on Tuesday, the chief minister will arrive in Karachi at 11am on January 9.

On the first day, he will hold meetings at Insaf House and visit the Karachi Press Club.

The following day, he will travel to Hyderabad, where he will address the Hyderabad Bar Association and participate in a street movement.

On the third day, he will return to Karachi to address the Karachi Bar Association.

The chief minister will be accompanied by Salman Akram Raja, Meena Khan Afridi, Shahid Khattak and Shafi Jan.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information Shafi Jan said that during the Sindh visit, the chief minister would meet party leaders, jailed party workers and representatives of civil society, and would also hold a formal meeting with the chief minister of Sindh.