Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Board of Investment and Trade, vice chairman Senator Mohsin Aziz has castigated the federal government and ministry of railways for creating hurdles in execution of rapid bus service project in Peshawar. Aziz's criticism came after the federal government offered to assist government of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa in launching of metro-bus like transport service in the province.
However, he categorically stated that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa won't seek any sort of help from the Centre to launch a bus service....it should only allow us to execute the project, originally conceived by us. He said the federal government and ministry of railways have continuously shown reluctance in issuance of 'no-objection certificate' for the project, despite discussion with them on several occasions.
Aziz, while chairing a meeting regarding various project of the board, said the provincial government is committed to launching Peshawar rapid bus service, but the project may not translate into a reality, due to apathy of federal government and ministry of railways. He alleged that the federal government has a hostile attitude towards the province.
"The all public-interest project should not become a victim of politics." He urged the federal government not to deprive people of this cheapest transport facility, and to allow commissioning of the project without further delay, according to a press release issued here on Thursday. The project, he maintained, aims at overcoming traffic congestion, by providing comfortable, economical, and fast/free flowing transport service to general public in Peshawar.
The board's vice chairman explained the project was conceived by government of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. A feasibility study was also completed of the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) a year ago. But, the ministry of railways is showing reluctance in issuance of no-objection certificate (NOC) to allow execution of the project.
He said rapid bus has been planned to run between Nasirpur to Hayatabad industrial estate, about 26 kms long road alongside the railway line. The bus would reach from the starting point to its final destination without halt for VIP movement except for ambulances. The road should be constructed parallel to railway track, leaving thereby, ample space for expansion, if it was required, he added.
Aziz further said road feasibility/map, was completed a year ago. Approx Rs 14 to Rs 15 billion have been estimated for completing the project, he added. He maintained the series of meetings with officials concerned, at the ministry of railways, were held at provincial and federal level in this regard. He said the land, has not been utilised, since the inception of the country. He said that the feasibility of the project was prepared in such a technical manner that no one had so far objected to it. He said the project is intended to be undertaken on a fast-track basis after overcoming the initial hiccup of the availability of earmarked land.
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