Preparations begin to reclaim Sindh transport dept’s land

The Sindh government has initiated preparations to reclaim lands belonging to the Sindh Transport Department. To carry out this process, the chief secretary of Sindh, the IGP and the anti-encroachment authorities will be consulted.

The 13th meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority Board, chaired by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, was held on Friday. Mayor Sukkur Arsalan Islam Shaikh, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Managing Director Sindh Mass Transit Authority Kamal Dayo, DIG Traffic Ahmed Nawaz Cheema, and other board members attended.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inamn Memon said that during the 12th meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority Board, it was decided to reclaim the lands of the transport department.

He emphasized that removing illegal occupation from these lands should be ensured as soon as possible, with the support of the chief secretary, IGP, and anti-encroachment authorities.

He added that notices have already been issued for lands on which government offices have been constructed. Negotiations should be held with the relevant institutions to make sure they comply with these notices.

The minutes of the 12th meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority Board also included approval for the appointment of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority's secretary.

The board meeting approved the extension of contracts for two Abdul Sattar Edhi Orange Line BRT project management unit employees. However, the representative from planning and development recommended the permanent appointment of Pervaiz Jamali, the Project Management Unit's deputy director.

The meeting also approved the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) budgets for 2021–22 and 2022–23.

Memon highlighted that the purpose of launching the People's Bus Service is to provide relief to the public during this period of inflation.

He mentioned that the Sindh government plans to expand the bus service to other cities and encouraged stakeholders interested in operating buses to invest in the People's Bus Service.