MOST of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metro bus stations are in a bad shape due to neglect on the part of the relevant authorities. Escalators and elevators are routinely out of order, causing inconvenience to all, but especially to the handicapped.

Moreover, at many stations, tiles are coming off the surface, while glasses and benches at stations are broken. It seems the authorities have made up their mind about rendering the project redundant since they are not interested in its maintenance.

They have perhaps forgotten the fact that the metro bus project burdens the treasury owing to subsidy payments made and periodic interest due against financing loans. Pakistan already lacks decent transport facilities. Reducing one of its biggest projects to nothing is unfortunate.

Muhammad Tarique
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2021