ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at the Prime Minister office.
The meeting discussed and approved its one point agenda, the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project (Islamabad portion, 13.09 KM) at a total cost of Rs.23.839 billion, subject to clearance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report by the competent authority. The Federal and Punjab Government will share the total cost of project. Federal Government will contribute Rs.13.419 billion whereas the Punjab Government will chip in Rs.10.419 billion.
The Metro Bus System will be world class facility being provided to the residence of twin cities, as per international standard and as per vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Construction of long awaited Peshawar Mor Interchange under this project will go along way in redressal of congestion problem at this inter section, which will provide a big relief to the residence and help in smooth flow of traffic during peak hours.
MBS project will start from IJ Principal Road at Faizabad where Rawalpindi portion terminates, and will traverse through IJ Principal Road, 9th Avenue, Jinnah Avenue and finally terminates at Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad. The Islamabad portion that is 13.9KM shall include Peshawar Mor Interchange as per CDA design and includes provision of 14 bus stations with allied facilities.
The project envisages construction of 13.9 KM long dedicated signal free corridor of 9.60 to 10.10 meters width at normal section and from 19.00 to 21.10 meters width at Metro Bus System (MBS) stations and tranches in Islamabad Territory. The proposed corridor will be capable of accommodating articulated buses running simultaneously in both directions.
The meeting was participated by Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Development, Ms. Anusha Rehman, Minister of State for Information Technology, Federal Secretaries and senior officials from central and provincial governments.
