Murree Shuttle Service: Punjab asks CDA to deal with controversial firm

Civic agency’s past dealings with contractor already under scanner.

ISLAMABAD:

Even before the dust has settled on the controversial metro bus project launched, the Punjab government is set to steamroller its way to the capital for the Murree Shuttle Service.

The Tourism Development Corporation of the Punjab (TDCP) has requested the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to negotiate with the Diplomatic Shuttle Service for a portion of its bus terminal along 3rd Avenue as a launching pad for the shuttle service to the hill station. If the firm agrees, a terminal for Murree Shuttle Service will be set up at the site.

Diplomatic Shuttle Service operates buses for visitors to embassies inside the highly-fortified Diplomatic Enclave. The diplomatic shuttle terminal is located along 3rd Avenue on Murree Road.

“TDCP will soon launch a shuttle service from Bhara Kahu to Murree to ease traffic congestion on Murree Road [during peak season],” Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had announced at the inaugural ceremony of the Lahore International Tourism Expo in April.

The CM had said that Murree is a popular tourist destination and was facing immense traffic congestion.

“The CDA has been asked to negotiate with the firm for a portion of land leased out to it for the establishment of terminal for Murree Shuttle Service,” Rawalpindi Commissioner said Zahid Saeed said, adding the site is most suitable and feasible for the purpose.

He said the CDA had been requested as it’s custodian of agreement signed with a private firm that owns the land currently.

He vehemently rejected the impression that TDCP was going to sign an agreement with DSS for running the Murree Shuttle Service.

Controversial DSS deal

On May 29, 2014 the Public Accounts Committee, headed by its chief Khurshid Shah, had expressed astonishment over the agreement the CDA signed with the Diplomatic Shuttle Service.

The PAC was informed that the contractor was paying a meagre amount of Rs44,000 a year to the CDA for the 4.5-acre land the authority leased out to the firm for establishing terminal along the Third Avenue. While, the same firm was found charging Rs200 to Rs500 per passenger for using the shuttle service.

The CDA gave the shuttle service contract to the firm for seven years in 2008 which is extendable for another seven years till 2015. The file of the agreement went missing from the CDA record.

Shah had directed the FIA and NAB to initiate separate inquiries into the issue besides directing the CDA to cancel that agreement.

Earlier, in 2013, a judicial commission formed on the directives of the Islamabad High Court to probe several matters related to the CDA including DSS had also recommended cancellation of the contract suggesting recovery of the overcharged amount, and action against the officials involved.

The commission had accused the firm for overcharging the passengers.

The CDA has also been conducting a separate inquiry into the dubious contract.

“The CDA has initiated process of revoking the agreement with Diplomatic Shuttle Service in the light of the recent direction of the PAC,” said a senior official of the agency requesting not to be named.

The TDCP officials say the corporation owns several resorts at different locations between Bhara Kahu and Murree. “It will also help revenue generation through these facilities as passengers will be given an option of residing at TDCP resorts,” said an official of the corporation wishing not to be named.

However, Commissioner Saeed said Murree Bus Service project will formally be launched after completion of procurement of tourist buses from the USA. He said advertisement had already been published in newspapers seeking proposal from firms.

“For time being, TDCP is going for a soft launch of this project,” Saeed said adding initially TDCP would be running buses between Bhara Kahu and Murree on trial basis and to publicise the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2014.