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Friday, November 18, 2011

New CNG buses to be launched in Rawalpindi in March

PML-N MNA Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has assured that the longstanding issue of a proper transport system with improved and modern facilities in Rawalpindi would be resolved by March 2012.

Talking to ‘The News’, Hanif Abbasi said that Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif is aware of the problem with regard to shortage of transport in Rawalpindi. He said that the Punjab chief minister had allocated 112 CNG buses for Lahore that have started operating. The Punjab government is sincerely working on the introduction of new CNG buses in the city by March next year.

Negotiations are underway between the Punjab chief minister and the concerned transport firms, he said. He admitted that the Punjab government despite its assurances could not bring new transport system in Rawalpindi during last three years. The problem of transport shortage in Rawalpindi occurred during the previous government of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. However, since taking over the reign of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif started efforts to resolve this problem. However, owing to big demands by the transport firms and shortage of required buses with them the problem remained unresolved. However, the Punjab government is now itself devising an effective system to give the people of Rawalpindi a modern transport system.

Sufficient number of CNG transport would be brought out on roads of Rawalpindi, which would also cover the routes of Islamabad as well, he said.

Commissioner (Rawalpindi) Zahid Saeed also confirmed that new transport would be introduced in Rawalpindi in March next year. However, when asked to comment that why action was not taken against the public transporters including those operating coasters and Hilux wagons for violating orders of the Supreme Court, he expressed his unawareness about the verdict of the court.

The Supreme Court some 7 years ago had ordered the then city district government for allowing public transporters to operate their vehicles and provide the passengers improved and modern facilities. However, seven years have elapsed, but still no improvement is made by public transporters rather the situation has further aggravated. The commissioner told that on complaints of the people, the concerned departments like RTA and CPOs on government directions take action against the public transporters for violating the rules and regulations of the traffic laws.

He told that he would look into the orders given by the Supreme Court and take steps according to it. It may be mentioned that the people particularly office goers and students suffer great problems due to transport shortage particularly during three days when the CNG gas remains suspended. However, none of the concerned authorities including RTA or the concerned governments took any step for the last one year to give its people alternate service of transport.

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