Amraiz Khan
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has formally given the go-ahead for green electric buses operation in a step towards controlling rising pollution and smog.
The approval was accorded in a meeting which was also attended by Provincial Minister Transport Jahanzaib Khichi, Secretary transport, transport specialist and other officials. The operation will be launched in Lahore where green electric busses will provide service on 6 routes in the city, covering 103 kilometers area. The chief minister also approved recruitment of transport inspectors, sub-inspectors and sergeants.
Lahore Transport Company (LTC) will be converted into Punjab Transport Company while services will also be extended to other cities under private partnership. Vowing to work for benefit of people the chief minister said the buses equipped with latest technology will operate in Faisalabad and other divisions and first time buses will operate in the areas of Koh-e-Suleman.
Presiding over a meeting regarding public transport in Lahore, he approved the plan that will see electric buses plying 103-kilometre long six routes and directed the relevant authorities to put forth proposals after weighing all options to materialise the scheme.
CM Buzdar called for vehicles inspection certification system to be made operational to curb smog. The CM further directed the authorities to ensure cleanliness at Orange Line Metro train stations and warned that he won’t compromise on the issue. He said he will pay surprise visits to these stations to review cleanliness measures. “No compromise will be made in this regard and I will personally inspect cleanliness by conducting surprise visits, he announced.”
Meanwhile, he disclosed that public transport will be introduced, for the first time, in Koh-e-Suleman areas. The best transport facility will be provided to Kot Chutta, Vohwa, Tibi Qaiserani, Taunsa and DG Khan at subsidized rates, he said and announced that latest buses will be introduced in Faisalabad and other divisions.
Meanwhile, MPA Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and discussed matters of mutual interest. Talking on the occasion, the CM stated that the PTI government has waged an arduous struggle against the menace of corruption adding that accountability of looters is imperative. The government has adopted a policy of zero-tolerance against corruption and Pakistan’s international image has been improved due to the steps taken for the eradication of corruption and ensuring transparency in government matters, he added.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said the citizens should follow corona SOPs as the number of patients is increasing due to violation of SOPs. In a statement, the CM said that the movement will be restricted through smart lockdown in affected areas adding that nine corona patients have died; 502 confirmed cases have been reported and 11388 were tested during the last 24 hours.