The Federal government is hoping to start the metro bus operations to new Islamabad International Airport in the next three months. The extension of metro bus would be up and running by the end of March 2020, senate committee on Planning, Development and Reforms was told by secretary Planning.
The secretary informed that the major portion of the work has been completed and work on remaining part would be completed in March next and work is in progress on these parts.
The senate committee stressed to complete the projects which have been slowed down on fast track basis.
The work on the extension of the Metro Bus from Peshawar mor to Islamabad International Airport had previously missed all its deadlines. The work has been going on at a snail’s pace. After the election of the current government the project faced delays and struggled to receive funds.
Hike in Toll tax
The body also asked about the increase in toll tax at M-1 and M-2 motorway. The secretary maintained that the surge is because of the increase in traffic and contract.
But the committee highlighted that between the years 2005 and 2019, the rates of M-1 have surged from Rs.80 to Rs.240 for cars and Rs.100 to Rs.400 for the wagons. The rates are also increase for minibuses from Rs.140 to Rs.550 and for regular buses they are surged from Rs.210 to Rs.790.
Moreover, M-2 also witnessed hike in rates. The rate for cars increased from Rs.250 to Rs.750, and from Rs.300 to Rs.1250 for wagons, from Rs. 450 for buses to Rs.2510 and for minibuses from Rs.176 to Rs.300.
