CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said launch of 27-kilometer long bus rapid transit system, setting up of intelligent transport system for monitoring and traffic control, improvement of public parking system and facility of multi-model bus terminals will make the traffic system modern and efficient.

Addressing a meeting held at the Arfa Software Technology Park on Monday, he said that in the first phase of the bus rapid transit system, development work from Chungi Amar Sadhu to Kalma Chowk was going on speedily. He said the Punjab government had completed projects worth billion of rupees in the most transparent manner through which the people had been provided substantial relief.

The chief minister said revolution would be brought in the public transport through the project and rapid public transport would be available to the people. He said bus rapid transit system was popular throughout the world due to its qualities and now the Lahorites would also benefit from it. According to an estimate of experts, 9,000 passengers would travel in the buses within an hour and the bus would be available to the passengers with an interval of a minute, he said, adding that the total cost of the project had been estimated to Rs1,467 million, of which Rs500 million had been released.

Shahbaz said the bus terminals of bus rapid transit system should be designed as per international standards and fences be erected on both sides of the route of the bus. He said low-floor buses would ply on the roads for the facility of the disabled and old people while the Parks and Horticulture Authority would also plant trees for beatification of the project. The CM also directed the officials concerned to constitute a technical committee, headed by the chief secretary, for dealing with technical matters of the bus rapid transit system project and intelligent transport system.

Shahbaz said the Punjab government had decided to introduce intelligent transport system for modernising traffic system and the system would fulfill future needs. He said that under the system, traffic flow would run through central traffic command and control system so that in case of any accident or emergency, human lives could be saved. He said the system would consist of modern equipments to help maintain a smooth flow of traffic.

The chief minister said that new parking system would be introduced in Lahore for organising it on the modern lines. He said that at present more than 1.8 million vehicles were plying in Lahore and provincial government, with the cooperation of Turkey, was evolving a modern parking plan keeping in view the next 25 years’ needs for ensuring provision of modern parking facilities for these vehicles. He said a separate directorate would be established in the Lahore Transport Company for the purpose which would supervise the new parking system.

Shahbaz Sharif said arrangements had been finalised for introducing vehicle inspection system of international standard. He said the project would start in November under which computerised fitness certificates would be issued to vehicles.

Talking about the multi-model intercity bus terminals project, the chief minister said necessary designing of the project should be completed within 45 days. He said that besides drivers and passengers, special arrangements should also be made for the sick people, women and children at multi-model bus terminals.

During his briefing, the Lahore DCO said that a policy had been devised for setting up new parking stands in Lahore. He said that under the policy, all necessary facilities would be provided to the people at the bus stands. He said the project of Thokhar Niaz Beg bus terminal, being constructed at 109 kanals of land, would be completed by March 15.

Lahore Transport Company Chairman Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, MPA Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, the Planning & Development chairman, secretaries of Housing, Transport and Information departments, Commissioner Lahore, representatives of NESPAK and NLC attended the meeting.