A controversy is still raging in the media about the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus project. This is because many crucial aspects of the project are still shrouded in complete mystery.
Was a technical and economic feasibility study of the project prepared? If so it must be put on the Planning Commission website. Was the cost based on a rough estimate of per km or the detailed ‘bill of quantities’? Was this project appraised by experts? If so, at what forum? What was the ‘economic rate of return’ of the project, quantifying the value of social benefits? What was the ‘financial rate of return’, indicating the amount of subsidy required? Was a cost comparison made with similar facilities recently built in other parts of the world? The Planning Commission needs to make this information public as soon as possible.
M Sadiq Swati
Rawalpindi