Tariq Saeed
Peshawar
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Peshawar, a state-of-the-art and eco-friendly transport service for the residents of the provincial metropolis, was inaugurated Thursday by Prime Minister Imran Khan. He expressed joy over the initiation of a third-generation technology based transport system in Peshawar.
“The aim of the PTI govt is to make the lives of common people easier. A good transport system benefits everyone, projects like the BRT will help improve the living standard of the common man. In Sha Allah, the project will turn out to be a blessing for commoners”. PM said while addressing the inaugural ceremony in Peshawar that was also attended by the CM KP Mehmood Khan, defense minister and initiator of the BRT Pervez Khattak, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, cabinet ministers and senior civil and military officials. Prime Minster Imran Khan hoped that the system will reduce commute costs for daily travellers saying that a price of Rs10 to 50 was enough and doable by daily wagers. If a daily wager cannot find a job here he can go to another place,” said PM Imran adding tickets for students will be introduced so it is easy on their pockets and will aid in mobility as well.
The much talked about and much awaited flag ship project of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government that saw many ups and downs was subjected to severe criticism from the rival political forces of the PTI government as six deadlines were given for its completions and its initial cost of 49 billion was swelled to over Rs 70 billion owing to delays and frequent changes in the design.
However after its completion the People of Peshawar were joyous over the (PTI) flagship project commencement which they said was not only Eco-friendly but a modern and advanced transport system of the today’s world. PM said the BRT hybrid buses will reduce pollution besides solving the traffic issues in the city.
The prime minister said initially he had reservations about the project but he was wrong and the then KP CM, Pervez Khattak, turned to be right. He congratulated him over the inauguration of the third generation transport facility in the provincial capital.
Talking about the economic benefits of the BRT project, Imran said the BRT that connects the entire city, will increase per capita income and when you have a good transport system, it changes things saying the BRT buses are being run on a hybrid of diesel and another petroleum source that will reduce pollution as well. The prime minister also inspected the buses, ticketing system and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for commuters.
The BRT bus project has been built at a cost of around Rs70 billion. About 340,000 common people will enjoy safe, comfortable, and affordable travel in state of the art luxury buses having Wi-Fi and other facilities on a daily basis.
The BRT project consists of a 27.5km main track and 31 stations while the length of the feeder routes is 62km and has 146 stops. The main track is connected to seven different areas of the city so that the people can travel from their areas in small buses to reach the main route. Three mega commercial plazas would be completed in June 2021, but the bus parking areas are ready.
The opening of BRT route would also stop rickshaws without permits. Buses and wagons are being also phased out from the roads and Mazda bus drivers and wagon drivers, who can operate BRT buses, have also been integrated into the service.
