RAWALPINDI: On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the divisional administration will start work on the metro bus service project from Rawat to Faizabad next week.

A senior official of the district administration told Dawn that the feasibility study was conducted in 2017 to start two main lines of bus service from Saddar to Tarnol and Rawat to Faizabad. However, he said after change of government in 2018, work on the projects was suspended. He said now the new government at the centre had decided to revive Rawat to Faizabad bus service.

He said Nespak had been asked to start work on Rawat to Faizabad along with Islamabad Expressway to facilitate people living along Islamabad Expressway.

The senior official said work on the metro line from Saddar to Tarnol was not possible, adding that a meeting of high officials had been informed that the provincial government had started work to make Peshawar Road signal free from Kutchery Chowk to Motorway Chowk. For this purpose, it has planned to construct five underpasses and a flyover, he added.

The official said the underpasses would be built at Pearl Continental Square, Brig Tariq Mehmood Square in front of the GHQ, General Post Office (GPO) Square, Military Hospital Square and Golra Mor Square whereas a flyover will be constructed at Qasim Market Square in front of Race Course Park. He said PC-I for underpasses and flyovers were almost complete.

The senior official said the metro bus service line would not be possible on this section as it was located in sensitive areas, adding that the feasibility study for Rawat to Faizabad had been completed.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq said though no formal directives had been received, there were reports of revival of Orange Line and Blue Line between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He said the district administration would facilitate the government in launching the projects.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2022