Bus Rapid Transit System: Punjab chief minister lays foundation stone

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone of first Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) of country's history at Ferozepur Road, here Sunday. In the first phase, 27-kilometre long track will be laid from Gajjumata to Shahadara and this project will be completed in collaboration with Turk companies.
Talking to media on this occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that transport system is being organised on modern lines in Lahore and other big cities of the province on the pattern of developed countries. He said that an agreement has been made with Turkish Firm for reserving a lane for bus in Lahore in the first phase. He disclosed that 15 kilometres long portion under Bus Rapid Transit System would be completed in the February/ March next year. He said that safe and rapid transport facility would be available to the people through this project. The chief minister said that an agreement has also been made in the solid waste management sector with the co-operation of Turkish companies in the provincial metropolis which will be implemented in the next February.
He expressed his gratitude to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas and technical institutions on the co-operation in different sectors by various companies of Turkey. He said that the gratitude over the role being played by Turkish brethren in development of various sectors cannot be expressed in words.
Talking on this occasion, representative of Albaraka Company of Turkey Mustafa Metin Yazar expressing his pleasure over launching of bus rapid transit system in Lahore expressed the hope that Turkish companies will complete this project at the earliest. He said that this project is not a commercial enterprise but is an agreement of co-operation between two brothers. A 6-member delegation from Turkey, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan and Commissioner and DCO Lahore were also present in the inaugural function.
Earlier, representatives of Turk companies met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and gave a detailed briefing with regard to important aspects of this project. Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Transport and Finance were also present on the occasion.