ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today ordered the first inquiry against the PTI government for delaying the launching of Islamabad Metro Bus service project for the last four years. PM Shehbaz ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to make operational the Islamabad Metro Bus Service from April 16.
At 7am today (April 14), Prime Minister visited the Peshawar Morr Metro bus station and reviewed the on-ground progress of the project.
In 2017, then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched the Islamabad Metro Bus Service project that was supposed to be functional in 2018.
PM Shehbaz Sharif directed to run the metro bus service from Peshawar Morr to Islamabad International Airport in order to facilitate the passengers travelling towards the airport.
He also ordered to carry out a feasibility study as per Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules for two additional routes, namely from Rawat and Bhara Kahu, connecting the airport.
He directed to establish a metro bus station at the motorway for better connectivity and to enhance the benefit of the service to a maximum number of people.
Terming it “severe negligence”, PM Shehbaz expressed dismay over the delay in the materialisation of the project as Rs16 billion had already been spent on the mega project of public importance.
He termed it “unfair” towards the general public whose tax money had been consumed, however, the return facility was being denied to them.
He directed the officials concerned to make TORs of the inquiry to assess the reasons for the delay that led to the loss of national wealth.
The prime minister suggested ensuring the installation of racks in the buses to accommodate the luggage of passengers en route the airport.
He also directed running free of cost service for a trial period until the installation of ticketing machines.
PM Shehbaz Sharif, after assuming office on April 11, had ordered to make operational the Islamabad metro bus service within five days.
