RAWALPINDI: The cost of the metro bus project is set to increase from Rs44.2 billion as the Pakistan Railways has demanded Rs62 million for the lease of its land at Marrir Chowk on Murree Road.

The Punjab government in a letter informed the railways about its decision to construct a pillar at Marrir Chowk for the elevated road of the metro bus service. It also sought the technical help of the railway engineers to look after the work during the installation of the pillar.

However, the local railway authorities sent the letter back to the project director with the demand of Rs62 million as rent of the land. “The railway will have to reduce the speed of trains at the site during the construction work. Besides, we cannot give any piece of land to other departments without any charge,” said a senior official of the railways while talking to Dawn.

He said the provincial government wanted to get the vacant land between the two pillars of the railway bridge at Marrir Chowk. For the safety of the train passengers, our engineers will have to carry out a survey of the site before we can allow any construction work there, he added.

PR seeks Rs62m for use of its land at Marrir Chowk

On the other hand, the metro bus project director and Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahid Saeed told Dawn that the railways demand was not justified. “We would not be spending that much amount on the construction of the pillar which the PR has demanded.”

He said Pakistan Railway authorities would be contacted about charging of a fee to reduce the speed of the trains during the construction work. He said the land belonged to the state and can be utilised for the project launched by the federal and provincial governments.

He said two supportive pillars had already been constructed and there was a need to get the permission of the railways for the construction of another pillar.

“We would convince the railways to reduce the amount,” said the commissioner.

He said the cost of the project would increase if government departments demanded more money from the development projects.

When contacted, Pakistan Railways Divisional Superintendent Munawar Khan admitted that they had sought Rs62 million for the lease of the land.

He said according to the rules the railways would not lease out the land even for the construction of the pillars. Basically, the whole elevated road will pass over the railway bridge on the pillars and the department concerned would have to pay the rent and other charges.

On the other hand, the construction work on Moti Mahal-Leh Nullah Bridge has been stopped due to the rain. The water level increased in Leh Nullah which created hurdles in the construction of the pillars.

According to the plan, Rs250 million will be spent on the reconstruction of the bridge.

“No separate funds have been allocated for the reconstruction of the bridge as it is part of the Rs44.21 billion metro bus project,” the commissioner added.

He said that initially one side of the bridge would be closed and the traffic would be diverted to the other side. The road would be closed completely when the contractor starts the work to install the pillars for the elevated road. He said the work would formally start after Eidul Fitr.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2014