Senate body told: Funds for construction of Metro Bus Services infrastructure released

National Highway Authority (NHA) has informed the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reform that funds for construction of infrastructure and allied works for Metro Bus Services from Peshawar Morr to New Islamabad International Airport have been released and the project would be completed by February 2020.

The committee met with Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani in the chair at Parliament House on Monday. The committee discussed the progress of construction of infrastructure and allied works for Metro Bus Services from Peshawar Morr to New International Airport, construction /up-gradation of Dirgi Shabzai to Taunsa Road project of Balochistan, recommendations made by the committee and other issues.

Member Engineering NHA Arbab Ali Dhakan told the committee that funds have been released for Metro Buss Services project and it would be completed by February 2020. He said that electrical and mechanical equipments have been procured under the PC-1. He said that 96 % work of package-I, 88% work of package-II and 100% work of package-III have been completed.

He said that Punjab Mass Transit Authority has been given task to purchase metro buses with the collaboration of Capital Development Authority (CDA). He said that construction work has been completed and electrical and mechanical work at bus stations is in progress.

According to documents available this correspondent, the total cost of the project is Rs 16.43 billion. An amount of Rs 1.25 billion has been allocated for the financial year 2019-20 while Rs 500 million were released on 18-10-2019. The project length is 25.6 kilometers. Work scope comprises civil and structure works including road, underpasses, bus stations, drainage and erosion works and electrical and mechanical works. Design and supervision works of the project was awarded to M/s NESPAK. For construction purpose, the project is divided in four packages: contract of Rs 6.315 billion for construction from Peshawar Morr to NUST (8 km) was awarded to M/s NLC; contract of construction from NUST to GT Road Interchange (3.8 km) at cost of Rs 5.412 billion was awarded to M/s CRFG-Matracon-TTC (JV); contract of construction from GT Road Interchange to Motorway Interchange (8.3 km) of Rs 1.683 billion was given to M/s MORE/FWO; contract of construction from Motorway Interchange to NIIA (5.5 km) of Rs 1.5 billion was given to M/s NLC.

Civil works of all the four packages including metro bus corridor, underpasses, bridges and interchanges are substantially completed. Structure works of 7 metro bus stations are completed, whereas finishing work, MBS inside New Islamabad International Airport and electro mechanical work of same are in progress.

Punjab Mass Transit Authority would be responsible for; (i) procurement, operation and maintenance of busses, (ii) automated fare collection and bus scheduling system, (ii) IT system (CCTV, connectivity and video wall), (iv) security and safety services, (v) janitorial and housekeeping services, (vi) and construction of bus depot and command and control center.

The committee also expressed serious concern over increase in the cost due to delaying and faulty design of construction/up-gradation of Dirgi Shabzai (N70) to Taunsa (N55) Road project, Balochistan, and directed the Planning Commission to involve Pakistan Engineering Council and conduct an inquiry into the project. While giving a briefing regarding delay in execution and cost escalation of the project, the committee was told that as many as 205 culvert boxes and six bridges were not included in the design of the project. The secretary Planning, Development and Reform said that it is very serious to miss the structural and technical aspects in the design of the project.