PM performs groundbreaking of Green Line Bus project in Karachi

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PM performs groundbreaking of Green Line Bus project in Karachi

KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday performed the groundbreaking of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System in Karachi, the first-ever Rapid Transit system to be initiated by the federal government.

Addressing a gathering here after the groundbreaking ceremony, the prime minister termed it a historic day as the federal and provincial governments were jointly launching the service to provide fast and inexpensive transportation to the people of Karachi.

He said the Rs 16 billion project of 18.4 km long Green Line would usher in a positive change in the city. He said it would include over 11 km long elevated section with 22 bus stations and would be better than the Lahore Metro service. He said that transparency and quality in the project would be ensured and the project would be completed during next year.

The prime minister mentioned that the work on Karachi to Lahore motorway was underway which he said would connect distant areas of the country.

PM Sharif vowed to restore peace in Karachi and said the operation against miscreants would continue till its logical conclusion. He said that the situation in Karachi had improved significantly and that the days of kidnapping for ransom, target-killings, acts of terrorism, and street crimes were almost over.

He said that, besides improvement in the law and order situation, the pace of development and progress had also improved.

The Green Line Bus Rapid Transit system, which would start from Surjani Town and culminate at Municipal Park MA Jinnah Road, will serve to upgrade and decongest the overburdened transport infrastructure of Karachi as well as reducing the cost and travel time for the residents of the metropolis

After its completion, the corridor is estimated to benefit nearly 300,000 passengers a day. The entire Rs16,085 million cost of the corridor funding has been provided by the federal government.

A fully autonomous company – Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Limited (KIDCL) – has been incorporated under a Board of Directors comprising a good mix of project stakeholders including senior government functionaries, independent and technical directors and members from academia to take all decisions independently for planning and implementation of the project.

Earlier upon his arrival at the PAF Base Faisal, the prime minister was welcomed by Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. The provincial home minister, chief secretary, DG Sindh Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar, and IG Sindh Police were also present at the base.

PM briefed on law and order in Sindh

The prime minister, accompanied with Minister for Information Senator Pervez Rashid, chaired a meeting on the law and order situation in Sindh shortly after his arrival in the city.

He was briefed on the overall law and order situation in the province at the meeting, which was also attended by the Governor Sindh, chief minister, DG Rangers Sindh Major-General Bilal Akbar, Chief Secretary Sindh and IG Sindh.

During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated his resolve to eliminate terrorists and their facilitators from across the country. Security forces should complete investigations soon in the light of revelations made by arrested terrorists, he said, vowing to extend the federal government’s full cooperation to the Sindh provincial government for restoration of peace in Karachi.