ISLAMABAD: The multi-billion metro bus project for the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad is likely to be inaugurated on January 31, 2015, an official associated with the project said on Friday.

He said the project was earlier expected to complete by the end of ongoing year but due to sit-ins in the Capital it was delayed and would now be completed in January.

He said contractors of the project had demanded a six-month extension for completion of the work but only one month was allowed.

“This is a public welfare project and work on it was continuing at a fast pace,” he said.

The project, which aims to cater to the needs of thousands of commuters, was launched in March, this year. As many as 64 buses will ply on the metro bus route which starts from Flashman’s Hotel Rawalpindi and ends at Pak Secretariat, Islamabad after passing through Murree Road, Faizabad, IJP Road, 9th Avenue and Jinnah Avenue.

The public transport in Islamabad had always been an issue in Islamabad, he said.

Published in Dawn, October 25th , 2014