QUETTA: A Chinese firm has submitted a feasibility report on the proposed Quetta mass transit train system and a delegation from the neighbouring country will arrive on Thursday to finalise details of the project.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri disclosed this in one of the several meetings he chaired at his secretariat on Sunday.

He had announced the project soon after taking the oath and the provincial government had allocated in the annual budget Rs2 billion for the 30km transit train which would ply between Ispezind and Kuchlak.

Discussing the pace of work on various development projects, the meeting gave approval in principle to the Rs4bn Quetta expressway scheme which was part of the Balochistan Development Programme. Mr Zehri asked the authorities concerned to prepare the PC-1 of the project.

The chief minister expressed resentment over reports of prolonged closure of a water treatment plant on Spiny Road and ordered its early revival.

He reviewed a plan to install solid waste management plants north and south of the provincial capital and said he had allocated funds for the purpose.

Pledging more funds, Mr Zehri sought implementation of the orders and decisions by the officials at all levels.

Nawab Zehri called for sending the PC-1 of a special development package for Quetta, granted by the prime minister for providing better civic services to the people.

The chief minister was informed that a pipeline had been laid for supplying clean water to residents in Sariab and that all illegal occupation on tube-wells in Dasht and Mastung had been cleared.

He sought the feasibility report for construction of underpasses at the GPO Chowk and Serena Hotel.

He reviewed the development programme for Nasirabad division and was briefed by the deputy commissioners on the progress of the schemes.

Mr Zehri asked the officials and representatives to make no compromise on the quality of the work.

Some 1.5 million residents of Sariab have also been demanding construction of a sewerage system in the area through the Rs5 billion grant given by the prime minister for the city.

Published in Dawn October 25th, 2016