Work on installation of stations starts

Rawalpindi
The station-installing process on both sides of Metro Bus eleveted road has been started, which would be completed in 30 days, Metro Bus Service Project Manager Lieutenant Colonel Shah Mir Haider Ghazi told ‘The News’ here on Friday.
“There would be a total 24 stations -- 10 from Saddar to Faizabad while 14 in Islamabad. We are making strong foundations for installing stations for Metro Bus Service on both sides of Benazir Bhutto Road. We are erecting running stairs as well as manual stairs on both sides for commuters,” he said.
He said that they are constructing drains on both sides of Benazir Bhutto Road, which would be carpeted after completion of work. We have almost completed installation of underground water pipelines.
He said they have almost completed underpass construction work where pedestrians would walk easily to cross the roads. Passengers could use stairs as well as underpass to go to the other side of the road, he said.
He said that 100 per cent piling work and piles caps work has been completed. Similarly, 100 per cent pear work, 81 per cent girder launching work and 50 per cent deck slab (public roofing) work have been completed. He said construction work of Metro Bus Project would be completed within the given time limit.
According to information, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has refused to give more time to Rawalpindi management and ordered completion of construction work on the Metro Bus Service Project till January 30.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Zahid Saeed has directed all construction companies to speed up construction work to complete Metro Bus Service Project in the given time-frame. The construction work of Metro Bus Project is continuing round the clock.
Some key officials working on the Metro Bus Service Project, on condition of anonymity, told ‘The News’ that the local management had tried to get more time, but Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif refused and strictly ordered completion of the project till January 30.
Metro Bus Project Monitoring and Implementation Committee Chairman Hanif Abbasi said that the government was determined to start the bus service as per schedule for facilitating public by providing them better travel facilities in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif want to start the bus service within the set deadline,” he said. He said the Metro Bus Service Project would be inaugurated by the prime minister and the chief minister on January 30.