Peshawar rapid transit project further delayed for lack of buses

PESHAWAR: Differences have emerged over soft-opening announcement of Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, as the required number of buses has not been made available yet.

Due to faulty planning of TransPeshawar, only 21 buses of 12-metre size have reached Peshawar. That was why the administration was thinking of soft-launching of the bus service only for women, children and handicapped persons.

The Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) claims that various components of the project including bus route, stations, Regional Transit System (RTS), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) signal, traffic lines and all other development works would be completed till March 23, 2019, while bus depot will be completed in July this year. However, the parking area of the buses would be arranged till March 23. That’s why there was no hindrance in inauguration of the project, according to an official. The sources have disclosed the inside story of a meeting, chaired by the provincial chief secretary. A senior officer reportedly opposed inauguration of the incomplete project on March 23. He told the meeting that the project should be inaugurated properly after completion of all related tasks.

According to sources, the PDA representative assured the meeting of completion of all development tasks on time. However, the meeting participants expressed their reservations over availability of only 21 buses if the project is inaugurated on the given date. They said over 375,000 passengers would travel by these buses daily.

Sources said TransPeshawar was responsible for acquiring buses on time. But it failed to accomplish the task on-time. That was why, now only soft-opening of the project. According to official documents, despite completion of all development tasks till March 23, BRT could not be made functional fully and initially only 21 buses would be run. Under the BRT project, 220 buses were to be purchased: 65 of them with 18-metre size for the main corridor, while 155 buses of 12-metre size were to be run on feeder routes. However, until now only 21 buses of 12-metre size have reached Peshawar. It has become a real headache for the Transport Department and TransPeshawar how to manage running of only 21 buses on 27-km long route. According to schedule, 20 buses of 18-metre size for the main corridor will reach Peshawar on June 15, while small buses of 12-metre size will reach their destination by April 20. In the third phase, 42 small buses and 15 big buses will reach Peshawar till July 30, 2019.

In the fourth phase, 20 big and 30 small buses till September 30, 2019 and in the final phase, 10 small and 32 big buses will reach Peshawar till November 30.

Transport Secretary Kamran Rahman told daily Jang the government is making all efforts to launch soft opening of BRT till March 23 as per the chief minister’s directives. In the first phase, due to the shortage of buses; women, children and special people will benefit from the travelling facility. The provision of buses is a responsibility of Trans Peshawar for which the company is working. Peshawar Development Authority Director Ikramullah told daily Jang the PDA has completed arrangements to launch the project by March 23. Roads have been completed in the main corridor. A 20km cycle track has also been completed, whereas tile work along the track will be completed in the current week. Drainage work is complete as well. As per the project, 31 stations will be complete till March 23. Initial work at the stations is complete while decoration work is under process.

The director said ramps are complete and escalators are being fixed. Lifts have reached the sites and their installation work will start soon. The Intelligence Transport System is being installed and will be completed by March 23. When contacted, Trans Peshawar PRO said Provincial Minister Shahram Khan had announced the soft opening. He said he doesn’t have much information in this regard. He can give details after contacting the officers concerned. However, he did not contact daily Jang till the filing of this report.