04 September 2004	Saturday	18 Rajab 1425

KARACHI, Sept 3: The City District Government Karachi (CDGK)'s plan to construct 471 bus shelters in the city is moving at a snail's pace, with signs of the project's failure already started to have emerged.

These bus shelters, to be constructed on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, have witnessed very little progress, as only one out of the five pre-qualified companies has started work on some bus shelters.

It has been learnt that a notice had been issued to two companies warning them of cancellation of their agreements, if they further delayed in initiating work. Sources in the city government, confirming the issuance of warning letters to the two companies, said there seemed no hope of work being started by the companies.

"One company quit the project some time back due to fear of loss of investment, whereas the remaining three don't look serious in carrying out work," the sources added.

The CDGK had planned to employ handicapped people at these bus shelters by giving them tuck shops on rent. The City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, had reaffirmed his commitment of employing handicapped people at these tuck shops a few days ago in a review meeting about transport projects.

However, officials in the city government were not optimistic about any progress on construction of shelters and the employment of handicapped there due to lack of interest on the part of the companies in agreement.

It was also informed that one key element obstructing the completion of bus shelters was apprehension of the companies about recovery of their investment with profit. Under the plan, the project cost would be recovered by the respective company by displaying hoardings on these bus shelters. - PPI