Metro Bus Project delayed,inauguration likely on February 15

Rawalpindi
Finally the concerned authorities, including the executing body, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), have conceded the fact that the completion of Metro Bus Project would not meet the deadline of January 31 and take another two weeks for completion. According to them, the project would be inaugurated on February 15 by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Metro Bus Project Deputy Director Hafiz Mohammad Irfan, while briefing journalists here on Monday, confirmed that the completion date of the project has been extended for another two weeks as work on Pakage-II of Rawalpindi Section would take more time.
On the other hand, work on all other packages in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is almost complete. While 30 per cent work on the Rawalpindi's Package-II being carried out by the NLC still remains to be done.
He dispelled the impression that work on the project is being carried out at a slow pace. Rather all contractors are getting work done round the clock through their workers.
Replying to a question, Hafiz Irfan said that in all 84 buses would be procured from Sweden and China. Out of the total 84, about 40 buses have reached and the remaining buses are expected to reach in near future.
Similarly, for construction of bus corridors tenders were floated in print media and 11 companies have show interest in it.
Replying to a question, the deputy director said that if not wrong the project, which is a mega scheme, would be completed in record period of 10 months only and not being delayed from its scheduled period. Elaborating, he said that foundation-stone of the project was laid by the prime minister and the chief minister on February 28 while tenders were invited in March and after award to four contractors work on the project was launched in April, 2014. In view of this situation, no one could say that the project was delayed and not completed in scheduled period. If there were no sit-ins by PTI and PAT in Islamabad, the project would have been over in December 2014.
Besides the RDA and Metro Bus Project official, the chairman of the implementation sub-committee, Hanif Abbasi, conceded the fact that the completion time of the project has been delayed by another two to three weeks. The project would be inaugurated on February 15 after which operation of buses would start for public.