State-of the-art: New general bus stand in the works

The Rs2bn project will be complete in 18 months, says MCP administrator.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has planned to construct a new state-of-the-art general bus stand in the heart of the provincial capital.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Municipal Corporation Peshawar Administrator Syed Zafar Ali Shah said the two-storey building will be constructed adjacent to the present general bus stand and will be equipped with facilities at par with Bacha Khan International Airport.

“Rs2 billion is the cost of the project and will be completed over a period of 18 months,” he said, adding the 155-kanal site map is already being prepared. Shah said a Lahore-based private firm will construct the stand in coordination with the MCP, adding Chowk Yaadgar, Namak Mandi and Ghanta Ghar will also be refurbished.

“A sufficient amount has been allocated in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the beautification of the city,” he said. Shah said the administration is aware of the problems commuters face, claiming the new bus stand will improve the transport infrastructure of Peshawar.

Another municipal officer said the vehicles arriving will be parked on the first floor while those departing will be parked on the ground floor. He said a passenger lounge will be constructed while ticket booths will also be set up. “The municipal corporation will generate Rs500 million annually through fares,” he added.

Transporters have welcomed the initiative. Public Transport Owners Association (PTOA) Peshawar President Khan Zaman told The Express Tribune the announcement sounds promising as the existing bus stand is in a dilapidated condition.

Zaman said the government will formulate a cargo policy and fix luggage limits per passenger. Other association members Noor Muhammad, Yar Muhammad Afridi and Zahir Shah also welcomed the move.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2015.