KARACHI, Jan 20: The Transport and Communication Department of the city government has extended the last date for the submission of applications by private sector firms for the construction of 471 bus shelters along 36 key roads on ‘Build, Operate and Transfer basis. The new date has been fixed as Jan 30.

Dr Muhammad Tahir Soomro, EDO of the department, said that under the city government plan, bus shelters along Shahrah-i-Faisal, M. A. Jinnah Road, University Road, Sher Shah Suri Road, Sharea Pakistan and other busy and vital arteries of the city would be built. These facilities, he said, would have waiting rooms and toilets (separate for men and women) as well as route maps, guiding boards, etc.

The shelters have been divided in three categories, he said. On the special directives of the City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, the disabled persons would be given shops to run at 47 shelters, he added.

Mr Soomro stated that the city government had decided to encourage the private sector in building and running the bus shelters. He said that the land for the purpose would be provided free of cost though the proprietary rights would remain with the city government.

The shelter operators, he said, would be allowed to install advertising material at their respective premises. However, he said the operators would be responsible for the maintenance of the shelters.

Dr Tahir revealed that 21 companies have already shown their interest in operating the shelters at 36 roads on BOT basis. He said that the City Nazim had constituted a committee to examine the companies’ applications.—PPI