Metro mileage
50
IT was like a jamboree of twins — Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, a transport project and the PML-N, Pakistan and Turkey, the centre and Punjab.
They all contributed to a proud moment celebrated with typical fanfare. The prime minister declared the launch of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus service as a gift of democracy.
For many others, it was an occasion to hail the PML-N’s efficiency in coming up with projects that address easily identifiable issues. The party has been asking the question and it did so one more time on Thursday: what’s wrong with picking up high-resolution projects and undertaking them with trademark flourish?
Know more: Amidst Metro bus fanfare, Sharjeel Memon promises free WiFi for Karachi
As the experts debate the pros and cons, one thing has been established. The bus system that covers 23km and is expected to facilitate the travel of more than 130,000 commuters every day will have a huge impact.
It will influence the relationship between the party and the people. Everyone knows this — from those who want the same emphasis on a mass transit system in their respective areas to PML-N opponents who refer to the latest edition of the metro bus as a waste of precious resources and as an example of the rulers’ fetish for imposing arbitrary solutions.
Some problems have yet to be addressed as the PML-N government replicates in the twin cities the feat it had earlier accomplished in Lahore.
As in the latter’s case, the new metro bus service is essentially a Shahbaz Sharif creation. The need for consultation with stakeholders was not felt in the provincial capital and was ignored in the present case too.
Surely, stakeholders would have wanted to participate actively in the development project that should ideally have been routed through local government. Such considerations, unfortunately, do not concern those who refrain from entrusting public works to, or sharing credit with, others. They would be even less inclined to think about the negatives given the envy the latest venture has caused among the less privileged near and far.
There are calls that capture the longing for a mass transit system in other parts of the country as well. Perhaps the loudest of these calls, not surprisingly, come from the largest and most urgently deserving city, Karachi.
The densely populated megalopolis must find a fast track to a mass transit system — one that is not simple copycat stuff but which is evolved and crafted after long and hard considerations of the requirements of its inhabitants.
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2015
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Comments (50) Closed
Jun 06, 2015 02:24am
Infrastructure projects are good for economy, but must be:
1. Transparent
2. Cost effective
3. Environment-friendly
Leaving other objections aside, Islamabad metro is the most expensive in the world! Could not we do just with buses at a reasonable price?
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Jun 06, 2015 04:43am
@Gramscian You are right, but missed one point i.e. it should make "economic" sense. The latest data showing 1.5 million jobless in the market over last 2 years is enough to open the eyes of the rulers. Infrastructure projects that lead to employment is what is the need of a poor country like Pakistan. Not these showcase projects!
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Jun 06, 2015 05:06am
For such a mega project, did government of Pakistan invite bids from different countries ? Seems it was a unilateral decision by Sharif government only involving Turkey which was also involved in Lahore metro. Countries like Korea, Japan, China were capable of offering lower bids.
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Jun 06, 2015 08:50am
Govt should set its priorities right.
1. Clean water.
2. Education.
3. Environment.
4. Power. (Dams, electricity etc)
5. Infrastructure.
Interestingly they started from the bottom.
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Jun 06, 2015 09:48am
If you live in Rawalpindi and Islamabad , are a working class or a lower middle class person and work in Rawalpindi while live in Islamabad or vice versa then this is the biggest achievement that will impact almost every working and lower middle class house hold since Islamabad was created as the majority workers came and still commute from Rawalpindi which is quite a distance away.
If you are not from Rawalpindi or Islamabad then you have no idea and you will look at the figures and will most probably criticize this project. With all due respect 'Gramsican' no this could not be done with buses, clearly you have no idea of the existing road network the metro route has to ply through.
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Jun 06, 2015 10:24am
Most of the complaining seems to be coming from people who will never use this project. Those who tend to use public transportation and suffer humiliation everyday at an exorbitantly high cost will certainly appreciate this.
Poor people like to preserve their dignity too and the amazing thing about democracy is that they have exactly the same vote that a rich man does. Don't be surprised if PML-N wins a few more seats from Rawalpindi come next election.
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Jun 06, 2015 01:51pm
From whatever party you are, please be a Pakistani first. A good thing is a good thing, whether done by Nawaz, Imran or Zardari. The critics are criticizing for the sake of criticism alone. The fact is that this project is a good omen; ask those poor people who suffer daily from 'wagon-walas'. The critics are only from among the 'financially privileged', or political opponents.
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Jun 06, 2015 04:54pm
@Ihtesham Kayani
What about public safety = end of terrorism as a priority?
I think people would rather live than ride in a nice clean bus.
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Jun 06, 2015 04:58pm
No body owns Karachi but every one who matters in Pakistan want a piece of Cake from Karachi's different mafias from land , bhatta, water tankers & etc.(Karachi's loot). Project for Metro may come up in Karachi but it should be Transparent ,Cost effective &Environment-friendly and not for the purpose of $$$$$ in depthless pockets of the elite class.
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Jun 06, 2015 05:02pm
@Ihtesham Kayani. How about health??
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Jun 06, 2015 05:05pm
@Confused I don't criticize metro but what's the need for making worlds most expensive metro in country like Pakistan. Why they bought so expensive buses? Why the need for elevated root? In the same price they could have bought most reliable buses from Japan that won't cost them repair expenses like these super luxuries from Europe.
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Jun 06, 2015 05:07pm
For Karachi existing infrastructure should be maintained and upgraded and should be utilised for the public bus service. Designated bus lanes at peak hours is the answer. One should not make the city into a concrete jungle with elevated expressways which becomes an eye sore for everyone. It also results in increase of crime rate. Islamabad and Lahore whic in the 70s and 80s was one place I wanted to go to get away from the dust of Karachi has lost its beauty. It should have a healthy environment with well planned and efficient transportation system. Most importantly people need to be educated on how to drive and use the public transport.
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Jun 06, 2015 05:20pm
20 Rs per head, an estimate of 130000 individuals traveling per day makes Rs 26 lakhs per day ,Rs 78 million a month and Rs 936 million an year. Taking ideal conditions and supposing all the expenditures including the maintenance of road and buses plus salaries the final profit to be Rs 0.5 billion per year, the project would start giving fruitful results in about 90 years !
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Jun 06, 2015 05:27pm
Karachi's effective KTC and Circular Railways was dismantled in favour of transport mafia. All efforts to start government supported transport is always doomed by riots and law and order situation when government vehicles are burned to ashes. Karachi is facing systematic oppression from poor law enforcement and black money looters.
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Jun 06, 2015 05:27pm
It was only for commission to Sharifs Pocket, nothing more.
We have NOT seen even a single industry in PPPP and NOON tenure, instead we lost industries because of their bad management for the power sector.
Yes they made very good progress towards their own business and industries, Sharifs industries increased by 1600%, no example in whole world. Zardaris never owned any mill, now he owns more than 22 sugar mills, 3 castles, looking for another in Quetta all free from PPPPPPPPP Government, besides the wealth, properties, hotels etc.
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Jun 06, 2015 06:02pm
This was a good initiative on governments part but we must prioritize between needs and wants. Pakistan doesn't have the luxury to splurge on such massive projects. We must be realistic with ourselves, short term achievements will not do nothing for us longterm.
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Jun 06, 2015 06:10pm
Here is the common sense modal solution. First, improve your road system. Buses and trains and subway system are next. What is taking so long? Japan wanted to finance it 35 years ago.
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Jun 06, 2015 06:10pm
People defending this project shamelessly need to know that this project is not only expensive but highly subsidized as well. Govt is paying at least 1 billion every year in subsidy just to keep this project running in Lahore and same will happen in Rawalpindi. It is just a cheap effort to win back those two Rawalpindi seats NA55 and NA 56. That's all
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Jun 06, 2015 06:30pm
You are right sir but Karachi needs it's political and economical independence first. When Karachi becomes province of its own, then all good things will follow like mass transit system.
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Jun 06, 2015 06:51pm
Mass transit systems are a must even if they are expensive. They bring unfathomable influence on economy bringing new opportunities, expanding internal trade and positive influence of real estate sector. Delhi Metro is just an example which by no means is the best or most cost-effective project yet its benefits are outreaching. However, I do not see neither PPP,nor PML (N) or PTI to be so generous to Karachi
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Jun 06, 2015 06:59pm
This time in Karachi it would be 4 billion Rs per KM , means more curuption for Nawaz govt.
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Jun 06, 2015 07:19pm
I saw the figures. It includes 2bn rupees subsidy every year. This means direct corruption. They've named it "Punjab Metrobus Authority".
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Jun 06, 2015 07:22pm
@Dilectus does not matter if expensive and govt is paying to run. This is for People snd commons are benefittting so let it be.
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Jun 06, 2015 07:25pm
A good project.I feel buses should not have luxury seats but benches and standing room so that more people are accommodated , as 23 km can be covered in 30 minutes.Karachi should go underground and damn the cost.
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Jun 06, 2015 07:52pm
Govt. must stop burdening tax payers with this unsustainable 20 Rupees fare. If you are providing modern facilities please charge accordingly so that these schemes flourish on their own without massive bailouts every years.
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Jun 06, 2015 08:39pm
Even if we make overhead expressway for the motorcycles it will make easy for fast movement of cars and other vehicles as there will be more space for them. If it is technically feasible then it may be considered.
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Jun 06, 2015 08:42pm
@Blue Saffron Comparing Pakistan to Japan is as absurd as any two comparisons could possibly be.
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Jun 06, 2015 09:10pm
@Imran AB You are correct. Those who do not live in the twin cities have no idea of the direct benefit this project will bring to common man.
Well said.
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Jun 06, 2015 09:22pm
what do you mean by "long and hard considerations"? Surely karachi has given such a consideration for KCR spanning 25 years or so.
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Jun 06, 2015 09:30pm
The problem with turning a big public-works project into a political milestone is that it may find itself orphaned once the promoters are out of power. Remember that the service is heavily dependent on government subsidies and serves only a tiny fraction of eligible users. Will it be sustainable in the long term?
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Jun 06, 2015 09:50pm
"...one that is not simple copycat stuff but which is evolved and crafted after long and hard considerations of the requirements of its inhabitants."
Ummm...that will require too much thinking. We Pakistanis don't like to think. We just do it. Hey...If Nike can "Just do it", why can't we?
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Jun 06, 2015 10:20pm
Its funny to see euphoria about all this.....
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Jun 06, 2015 10:31pm
Nothing will happen for Karachi...mark it down...no one owns Karachi's development...destruction perheps yes. So unfortunate for the City which generates the largest revenue for the Country.
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Jun 06, 2015 10:40pm
No doubt all big cities need mass transit system however Railway Tram system are much better ,comfortable and environmentally friendly.Karachi would also benefit by resurrection of old circular railway.
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Jun 06, 2015 11:09pm
People wont oppose 80billion islamabad airport but a luxury ride for poor ! people wont take to roads against 300 billion annual subsidy in power sector.
Civil infrastructure resulted in creation of thousands of jobs over past few years
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Jun 06, 2015 11:29pm
When I was a child there was very good Railway service starting from I.I. Chundrigar road to Landhi, which minimal charges. But as days passed I don't know what happened.
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Jun 06, 2015 11:52pm
Can you walk without bones or with broken bones? I believe the answer is no. Infrastructure of any nation is its bones. The whole body starts functioning in the right directions with viable infrastructure. Do not pose the metro issue as mutually exclusive;
we want infrastructure in all areas: roads to link communities and conduct commerce, linking mind and bodies via education, health, and basic services.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:15am
Karachi with high price property would be better with an 'underground' mass transport system which would probably be 'cheaper' than over ground equivalent!
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Jun 07, 2015 12:24am
Metro-bus was an instant disclosure. People of Islamabad just woke up one fine morning to find the entire city engulfed in digging-dust. That is the only way to get things really going. Otherwise, we have a whole swarm of politicians who only know how to make Kalabagh Dam out of everything in national interest.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:34am
Follow the global successful models. Reserved bus lane with city wide bus routes. Simple as that.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:37am
There are Asian countries that have lower GDP than Pakistan, have either underground or overhead subways/train system that runs in major cities. Why not in Pakistan?
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Jun 07, 2015 12:41am
@Imran AB I am from pindi/Islamabad and I know what you are saying. I try to use hiace/Mazdas as often as possible.
(numbers here are simplified) if hiace charges Rs.50 from sadar to secretariat and this metro charges Rs. 100, will you use it? I will. even if it charges 150 still it may be worth for many people. But if the real cost of it is Rs.500-1000 will you use it? most probably not. but irony is that most part of the cost is not the ticket fair, it is the indirect cost that we will be paying in other forms, taxes! and you pay it irrespective of if you use metro or not! what a double whamy.
I believe most of the people who are talking not in favor of it are pointing to this thing, not that they have no sympathy with pindiwals.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:42am
@Confused and those poor people are the ones who will be paying most of the inflated costs of this project.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:42am
@zjc you are not correct.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:48am
@Asad "Delhi Metro is just an example which by no means is the best or most cost-effective project yet its benefits are outreaching."
and still not only it was highly criticized in India but also it is several times cheaper than commission-train.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:53am
@Asif you do not know?
For the first 40 years of life of this country, Karachi was the only city getting every thing. And everybody else form other provinces has to come over here. Even for smallest menial jobs.
And greed grew so much that it shot at its own foot.
And some of the money/industry/facilities stated going to Khyber, Punjab and interior Sindh - that should have started long ago any way.
And now all you hear is blames to others.
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Jun 07, 2015 12:57am
Green CNG air condition buses were introduced in Karachi but after some days A.C used to remain shut and then after few months all the buses disappeared from the streets. There is no one sincere and honest to address Karachi's transportation and traffic problems, i am afraid the green line won't work amidst incompetent and dishonest people who are at the helm of affairs.
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Jun 07, 2015 01:35am
Karachi is the world 2nd most populated city with 23,5 million people and requires both bus/tram and underground metro system on urgent basis. Compare Karachi with Shanghai, Istanbul or even Mumbai and you will see how good the transport system is there.
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Jun 07, 2015 01:37am
who gets to profit from this venture? The locally owned transport mafia will never let it happen in Karachi.
There is also an issue of violence, whenever people riot, ahem protest, they burn buses and in case of government owned, bulls eye
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Jun 07, 2015 10:27am
Unfortunately, the so called leaders of Pakistan lack the national approach. They support a process or oppose it for their party interest instead of national reasons.
Lack of mass transit system in Karachi is a clear example of the selfish nature of government as well of opposition of PTI. Both of them know they wouldn't get any votes in Karachi regardless of their efforts.
The newborn champion of justice want to fight for the Punjab but has no interest in Sindh. Same goes for the government.
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