GBS fate still uncertain
The contract has been converted from build, operate and transfer (BOT) to self-finance basis. Although the work order of bus stand construction has been issued, NLC and CDG still have differences on the collection of toll, which is a major source of fund raising. This situation has put a question-mark on the fate of this plan.
Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) city and the NLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2003, according to which it was decided that the project, costing Rs200 million, would be completed on BOT basis and construction work completed within a period of three years.
The proposed design features of the bus stand are covered walkways for passengers, construction of covered bus bays, construction of road network, improvement of drainage system, provision of drivers hostel, development of an auto market, development of commercial areas, renovation of terminal and provision of waiting areas.
Following the MoU, the NLC started its work after receiving mobilization funds. The powers of security arrangements of buses running from the general bus stand or other approved places were also entrusted to the NLC. A toll fee was also fixed after the consent of transporters and the NLC deputed its staff to carry out the project.
The executing agency continued collection for nearly nine months and it collected approximately Rs154,000 a day. Transporters refused to accept the toll rates and went into litigation.
Sources said when NLC employees recovered some illegal weapons and drugs from the buses the transporters started a protest. They intensified their protest on the plea of high toll rate calling it exploitation of transporters. The transporters also observed a strike. Because of the transporters the governor had to intervene in the matter and have a meeting with transporters when he visited the district during the protest days. The governor announced a reduction in the toll rates, which led to a halt of this project.
Sources said Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool, who laid the foundation stone of the project, was well aware of the ‘festering wound’ of the general bus stand, which defaced the locality where people from all parts of the country come. The matter was also reported to the chief minister by some assembly members in which they stated that stoppage of construction work of this project would create many problems for commuters and transporters. The situation deteriorated when the government declared Faisalabad a city district and divided its two tehsils — City and Saddar — into four towns. Several projects being executed by the TMA city were transferred to the city district government, which came into existence with a severe financial crisis of Rs860 million. The deficit was cleared when district nazim Rana Zahid Touseef invited President Pervez Musharraf to Faisalabad.d.
The conversion of the district into the city district government has not brought any relief to the citizens and things are going from bad to worse as the construction work of the bus stand is being restarted in a perplexing situation. An officer said that when the local government decided to resume the work it was astonishing for it that without approval of the project and its estimation the ex-TMA city nazim had released the work order and an MoU was also signed. The DCO constituted a committee which sifted through the record and unearthed various irregularities and shortfalls.
Earlier, on the request of DCO Azam Suleman, the Punjab governor called a meeting attended by the district nazim, the DCO, NLC officials and other departments concerned. During the meeting both sides expressed their point of view and informed the chair that funds shortage is the main impediment in restarting the project. The Punjab government has come forward to financially support the district government as it would release Rs50 million as loan for this project while the remaining amount would be met from the “adda fee” to be collected from the transporters. Orders have been issued in this regard.
Recently, a meeting was also held with DCO Azam Suleman in the chair. He asked the NLC officials to retake the charge of collection but the latter said that under the clauses of the original MoU signed by the TMA city and NLC the collection of toll or parking fee was entrusted to them which was discontinued due to a dispute between the NLC and the TMA. At present the agency is not in a position to render its services again for collection of fee. Sources said the DCO asked the NLC officials that the governor, chairing a meeting, directed the agency to collect the fee as it would decrease pilferage and funds required for the project would be collected early. But NLC officials remained adamant.
Regarding the collection of toll after the agreement with the local government, an officer said that the NLC has clearly refused to take the charge of toll collection and said it would be a difficult task for the armed forces to indulge in squabbles with locals as they had a bad experience of it in the past when people went into litigation.
Approximately 1,600 buses leave daily from the bus stand to different cities and similar number reach the city from all parts of the country. Sources said that transporters had given their due share for the construction of the bus stand to get it completed as soon as possible.