Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (KIDCL) has demanded Rs 11.64 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2017-18 to execute 'Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System' project by March 2018.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, at the ground-breaking ceremony of the project, had announced extension of Green Line BRTS to CBD in February 2016 and in compliance, KIDCL submitted revised PC-I of the project at a cost of Rs 24.604 million, for change in scope, to Planning Commission on 19.05.2016 for consideration of ECNEC/CDWP accordingly. The CDWP in its session held on 6th October 2016 approved the revised PC-I of the project, in principle, revealed KIDCL official while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications.
The committee met with Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi in the chair to consider the detailed budgetary proposals relating to Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the year 2017-18 of Ministry of Communication, Pakistan Post Office Department, National Transport Research Centre, Construction Technology Training Institute and National Highways and Motorway Police.
The KIDCL official in the briefing informed the committee that the proposed PSDP allocation/demand for 2017-18 (phase-I) of Rs 4,891.945 million includes balance fund i.e. Rs 3,123.8 million for the main project 'Green Line BRTS from Municipal Park Saddar to Surjani Town, Karachi' and additional demand of Rs 1,768.2 million being cost for the revised original scope of work. Further, the KIDCL proposes PSDP allocation for 2017-18 (Phase-II) of Rs 6,750.7 million being the total cost for extension of Green Line BRTS to Central Business District. The total proposed allocation and release required for 2017-18 is Rs 11,642.706 million. The said funds would be required in the fiscal year 2017-18 to execute the project by March 2018.
The committee recommended that the revised PC-I of the Green Line Karachi Project may be approved on priority basis for timely completion of the project. The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of National Transport Research Centre (NTRC) and directed to make it viable in terms of challenges coming in the shape of CPEC. The committee set a deadline of 15 days to NTRC and directed to come up with a future plan to improve its work and contribute in country's roads infrastructure development.
The committee was informed that there is regulation for inland transportation like chemical, LPG, oil, explosive and narcotics, which is a security risk. The committee further observed that there is lack of co-ordination among institutions, which is hampering work. The committee expressed annoyance over the lack of any transport policy to meet country's requirements and despite motorways traffic is a big challenge in the country.
The committee discussed the development projects of Pakistan Post Office for inclusion in the PSDP for the year 2017-18 in detail. The committee directed that rural and remote areas must be focused by Pakistan Post Office in terms of the provision of quality services. Director General Rubina Tayyab informed the committee that many buildings, including Lahore GPO which is also included in national heritage, may collapse any time due to shortage of funds for maintenance purpose.
The committee also discussed the budgetary proposals for the National Highways and Motorway Police. The approved and upcoming PSDP projects were considered in detail. The committee was informed that Rs 308.917 million are required for three ongoing projects in 2017-18 while Rs 316.044 million are needed for new projects. The committee was further informed the department is short of strength to meet requirements of new highways and motorways. The Prime Minister had approved 1,500 posts of which 1,000 have been filled while the remaining 500 are in pipeline. The committee directed that the strength of the Motorway Police on Karachi-Hyderabad-Sukkur section might be increased for the better management of traffic and controle accidents.
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