Amid rain, work begins on Metro bus project

Dividers, fences along the first patch were removed, bridges and streetlights out from next week.

RAWALPINDI:

Contractors have started work on metro bus project by clearing the divider from Flashmans Hotel to Mareer Bridge on Tuesday. Fences on the divider from Waris Khan to Benazir Bhutto Hospital were also removed. Heavy machinery for later work has also started arriving in the garrison city and will be parked at Liaquat Bagh, the now-demolished Model Bazaar, and other public parks.

The dismantling of three overhead bridges is due to start within a week and streetlights on the dividers will also be dismantled at the same time.

Incidentally, a separate fund of about Rs70 million has been allocated for restoration of these parks and roads.

“One per cent of the cost to be spent in Rawalpindi has been allocated for the horticulture department to develop parks and roads after completion of the project,” said PHA managing director Muhammad Akram Soban.



Counterpoint

Although the project has come under criticism for several components which may violate the Islamabad city master plan or create environmental issues, some residents felt the need for quality public transport outweighs these considerations.

“The political leaders who are criticising [the project] have never travelled in public transport,” said Khalid Saeed, a student who commutes to Islamic International University Islamabad every day.

“At least some positive developments are taking place in the city. Political parties should not play politics over it,” said Subhanullah Satti, a resident of Mukka Singh.

Other residents demand that the stalled Leh Expressway project also be pushed forward to make Rawalpindi a modern city. “At least I will reach my office in time with convenience,” said Sadia Salih, a bureaucrat.

Money-back guarantee

Traders are still unsure whether they will be compensated for their land and businesses at market rates. “When the Committee Chowk underpass was planned, we were assured we would get compensation at market rates, but so far we waiting for it,” said Muhammad Nadeem, who runs a bicycle business.

This time, the political leadership and CM promised they would not deprive traders of their rights and we are hopeful he will fulfill his promise, said Hafiz Asad, another trader at Committee Chowk. “Unfortunately, we have yet to be paid the compensation we were promised last time,” he added, referring to the flyover.

Mid-school highway

Students at a government school in Faizabad will see their playgrounds shrink as the facility is expected to lose some land due to a proposed interchange.

“The rest of schools on Murree Road will remain safe as the elevated bridge will be constructed in the middle of road,” said Education EDO Qazi Zahrul Haq.

Traffic plan

According to the traffic police, half of the road on both sides will be kept open for traffic to reduce rush on alternative routes. Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police Chaudhry Yousaf said the plan will be shared soon.

Environmental concerns

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing on March 28 to respond to public concerns regarding the environmental impact of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus project.

Officials from the EPA and other departments will attend the forum at Liaquat Memorial Hall, where they will brief the public on different aspects of the multi-billion rupee transport scheme.

“After the public hearing, a report containing public suggestions and reservations about the project, if any, will be compiled for submission to the Punjab government,” sources in the EPA told APP.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2014.