KARACHI, Dec 26: The city transport department has asked transporters plying buses to Balochistan to close the illegal bus termini still in operation in various parts of the metropolis after the opening of the Yusuf Goth terminal.
The department officials warned of action against transport operators who ignore these directives.
A modern intercity bus terminal at Yusuf Goth on RCD Highway, with a capacity of accommodating 125 large intercity buses, was inaugurated on November 18 by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.
On the occasion, the city government had announced that all illegal bus termini operating in various parts of the metropolis would be removed by November 30, as they said that they had held successful talks with the bus operators.
The deadline has passed and bus operators continue to operate their buses from the illegal bus termini at Old Sabzi Mandi in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, one at Mewashah and one at Lea Market in Lyari.
Taking notice of the violation, Executive District Officer Transport and Communication Department of the city government Muhammad Athar, has asked all operators to remove all illegal bus termini without delay or be prepared for action.
It is learnt the intercity transporters had expressed apprehensions saying the parking capacity in the newly built terminal was insufficient. In meetings with city government officials, they said that more than 500 intercity buses ply between Karachi and destinations in Balochistan.
They said the newly built terminal would be insufficient. An official said the city government had accepted the demand and decided to expand the bus terminal in the second phase to accommodate more buses.
In this respect it had constituted a Terminal Management Committee to oversee the affairs of all bus terminii.
He said the Baldia Town administration had removed encroachments from four acres adjacent to the Yusuf Goth terminus which is built on 10 acres.
The official told this scribe the city government would ensure th entry of intercity buses bound for Balochistan was stopped.
He said a shuttle service from the Yusuf Goth bus terminus to Lea Market had also been introduced to facilitate passengers.
