Expansion of electric bus fleet in Pindi: CM Maryam announces Rs30bn signal-free corridor

RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday announced major development initiatives for the garrison city, including a Rs30 billion signal-free corridor and the expansion of the electric bus fleet from 45 to 80 vehicles, alongside a range of transport, infrastructure and welfare projects.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Electro Bus Phase-II project, the chief minister said work on the 25-kilometre signal-free corridor — featuring nine underpasses and three flyovers — had commenced and would be completed next year, providing relief to an estimated 200,000 daily commuters.

Maryam said the increase in electric buses formed part of the government’s wider plan to introduce 1,100 green buses across Punjab by December. The service, she added, offered Rs20 fares, with women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and students travelling free of cost. She said the buses were equipped with Wi-Fi, charging ports, CCTV monitoring, wheelchair space and separate compartments for women.

The chief minister, while speaking about past development work, remarked that major projects executed earlier in Rawalpindi and Murree — including the metro service — had been undertaken during the prime ministerships of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. She said the Pakistan Muslim League-N had a consistent record of infrastructure development, asserting that “when the PML-N is in office, the country progresses” and that fact had even been admitted by the rivals.

Maryam also highlighted that road development had accelerated across the province, stating that thousands of kilometres of roads had been completed over the past year, while 1,000 inter-village roads were planned for this year. She added that the Wagah–Lahore stretch had been transformed into a 14-kilometre Green Heritage Corridor.

She announced Rs100 billion programme to overhaul rural drainage and sewerage systems, a new provincial anti-harassment law, and the construction of the Thal Expressway from Rajanpur to Bhakkar. After the completion of the Lahore Cancer Hospital, new cancer hospitals would be established in Rawalpindi and Dera Ghazi Khan, she added.

The chief minister said over 100,000 houses were under construction under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme, with 350 to 400 units being completed daily. Medicines for cancer, hepatitis and diabetes were now being delivered at patients’ doorsteps, while cardiology centres were being established in 20 cities.

Maryam said 1.5 million families were receiving ration cards and 80,000 students were benefitting from scholarships. Missing facilities in public schools were being addressed, teachers’ shortages were being filled, and the school meal programme had boosted enrolment, she added.

She said smog-control measures had reduced seasonal smog by up to 70 per cent, and clean drinking water would be provided to every household in the Potohar region this year. Rural areas, she added, were being developed as model villages with improved amenities.

Maryam said the crackdown on illegal weapons and drug peddling near educational institutions had been intensified, while police reforms had led to significant reductions in crime. She said Rs85 billion in loans had been issued under the Easy Business Scheme, and that the “Suthra Punjab” initiative and plantation drives were improving sanitation and greenery across the province.

The chief minister said the government’s priorities were public safety, service delivery and sustained progress, stressing that development “comes through hard work, not shortcuts.”