Obliging passengers: Despite ban, bus terminal sprouts in Faizabad

No action taken so far, CDA transport authority officials express ignorance.

ISLAMABAD:

Despite a ban, a new bus terminal has recently managed to sprout among many old ones in the area of Faizabad. And even after being informed about the development, the authorities are yet to take any action.

Documents available with The Express Tribune show that a prime-location plot worth billions of rupees was rented out to Talib Hussain for Rs8,890 a month for public parking. His son Hamid Abbasi converted it into a bus terminal.

Rented out to a private entity at throwaway rates, the 889 square yard plot is being used as a terminal in violation of all the clauses set out in the agreement with the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The terms bind the lessee to carry out landscaping of the area and not to erect a permanent structure on the site, which cannot be used for any other activity.

Moreover, the licence was non-transferable, according to the agreement signed by director municipal administration (DMA) last December.

When contacted, DMA Mansur Ahmad Khan said, “The new bus stand is illegal.” He confirmed that the land was rented out for public parking and promised to visit the site. “If there has been a breach of contract, immediate action will be taken and the bus stand will be closed.” But despite his claim, no action has been taken so far.

Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) Secretary Khawaja Maqbool stated that it was the CDA’s responsibility to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from us before leasing out the land.

“We will take action against the new bus terminal and inform senior superintendents of traffic and Islamabad police about it,” added Maqbool.

While the ITA secretary claimed that he had no information about the new bus terminal, the documents show that he had appointed Asghar, of Skyways Travels, as mediator to resolve the dispute between Abbasi and other bus terminal operators when they had objected to it.

Asghar had informed the ITA secretary that Abbasi had reneged on an agreement to comply with the terms set for dispute resolution. He also claimed to have requested the secretary in writing to take immediate action and close the illegal bus terminal.

CDA had promised to provide an alternative intercity bus stand for all five operators in I-11/4 in 2003. It had also assured them that no new bus terminal would be set up in Islamabad, according to the documents.

“This happened in connivance with CDA and ITA officials,” said Secretary General of Islamabad Transport Owners and Passenger Welfare Association Raja Shahid. “We have decided to file a writ petition in the Islamabad High Court to unveil the deal between CDA, ITA and the lessee,” he added.

Despite repeated attempts, CDA Chairman Engineer Farkhand Iqbal could not be reached for his comments.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2012.