Minister for using e-bikes, bicycle to combat smog

LAHORE: Following the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, all the departments have to work together to provide the best transport facilities to the people, while bicycles and electric bikes have to be adopted to eliminate smog.

These views were expressed by Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan while presiding over a meeting at Transport House on Friday. Transport Secretary Dr Javed Ahmad Qazi, while giving a detailed briefing to the provincial minister, said that the Punjab government has formed a committee on urban transport plan, which will create a plan for Lahore City in the first phase, but comprehensive urban transportation for other cities. A road map will also be created regarding transportation plans. He said that road map and transport coverage would be reviewed but it will require consultation of all stakeholders. The departments concerned will inform the Punjab government about the urban transport and with it relevant infrastructure schemes would be prioritised and resources required would be identified.

Addressing the meeting, the provincial minister said that important steps have to be taken soon to solve the traffic problems in Lahore. Cycles and electric bikes have to be adopted to combat smog. Bilal Akbar Khan directed that a working committee should be formed to initiate various projects related to transport but the master plan of Lahore should not be affected during working on any project.