Procurement of 200 buses: Transport department's proposal approved by Sindh CM

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Tuesday approved a proposal of the Transport Department to procure 200 buses, 100 for Karachi and 100 for other five districts to ply them through private sector on dedicated routes.

Murad took the decision while presiding over a meeting of Transport department here on Tuesday New Sindh Secretariat. The meeting was attended by Minister Transport Awais Qadir Shah, Chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem, PSCM Sajid Jamal Abro, Secretary Finance Hassan Naqvi, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shahalwani, Secretary Transport Abbas Detho and others.

Minister Transport Awais Qadir Shah briefing the chief minister said that he has submitted a plan to the chief minister for his approval. Under the plan an international tender would be floated to purchase 200 city buses [low height] to ply them on in Karachi and in other five districts. He added that Karachi would be given 100 buses.

The operation of the buses would be handed over to the private parties to be selected through a transparent manner. The provincial government would select important routes of the city and fix their fares. The private management would have to implement government plan and look of the operation of the buses.

The chief minister directed the transport minister to submit a detailed plan of the buses, their specification, qualification of private operation and details of the routes and dedication of buses on a single route.

He also directed transport department to expedite the process and complete it within seven months.

Truck Stand: The government has already decided to shift truck Stand from Mauripur to Northern bypass. Senior Member Board of Revenue Qazi Pervez told the chief minister that the land has been allocated but its entry in the revenue record has yet to be made. At this the chief minister directed the SMBR to finalize all the legal requirements within next 15 days and report him. He said that this is an important matter and he has to shift the truck stand to Northern Bypass.

Inter-city Bus Terminal: The chief minister decided to construct Inter-City Bus Terminal at Super Highway/Motorway over an area of 100 acres. The chief minister said that he has already approved the summary then why the transfer of land has been delayed. He directed SMBR to transfer the title of the land and report him within 15 days.

Bio Gas Plant: The chief minister said that the decision has already been taken to establish Bio Gas Plant at Bhains Colony under Karachi Bus Service Project. The chief minister directed Transport Minister to hold meeting with Local Government Minister and Mayor Karachi and decided to hand over the land for Bio-Gas plant.

This matter has already been delayed, therefore it must be decided within next 15 days, he directed transport minister.

Driving Licenses Branch: Transport Minister Awais Qadir Shah told the chief minister that summary for transfer of Driving Licenses Branches from Police to Transport department to the chief minister.

The chief minister said that he would approve the summary and he wanted the driving license branch should be operated on professional basis. He directed the transport department to functionalize the driving school.

The chief minister said that he was keen to provide best transport facilities sin the city of Karachi and others districts province at the earliest. He directed all the participants to implement the decision as has been decided.