- File Photo

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday said that uninterrupted compressed natural gas supply to public transport would provide relief to commoners and the government would extend modern transport system to Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur and Gujranwala.

Presiding over a meeting regarding provision of quality transport facilities to the people as well as Bus Rapid Transit project, he directed the divisional commissioners to evolve some strategy for plying CNG buses in their respective divisions.

He directed the commissioners to complete identification of suitable places for setting up CNG stations so that gas could be provided to public transport without any interruption.

“Provision of quality transport facilities to the people is the top priority of the government and solid measures have been taken in this regard.”

Shahbaz said the government had fulfilled the promise of providing quality transport facilities to the people in the provincial metropolis and 575 more CNG buses were being imported and besides Lahore, the vehicles would also be plied in Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi.

The chief minister said he was thankful to Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Asim Husain for providing CNG uninterruptedly to the public transport.

He said the decision would greatly help provide quality and affordable transport facilities to the people. He said the commissioners should hold negotiations with the well-reputed operators in their respective districts for plying these buses and immediate measures should be taken for setting up of CNG stations where gas could be provided to the public transport seven days a week. He directed the Lahore Transport Company chairman to ensure the implementation of schedule for import of more CNG buses.

Talking about the Bus Rapid Transit project in the province, the chief  minister said the scheme would soon be started in Lahore and 27-km portion from Gajomata to Shahdara would be completed in the first phase for which a six-member team of Turkish experts would visit Lahore soon. He said similar projects would also be started in Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad. He directed that visit of Turkish experts in the three districts should also be arranged and TEPA should use all its professional capabilities regarding Bus Rapid Transit System.

He also directed to constitute a team, headed by chairman of Planning & Development, which would review the estimates of the project.

He directed that before the arrival of Turkish experts, PC-I of the rapid transit system should be approved so that work could be started immediately after the arrival of Turkish experts.

Earlier, Secretary (Transport) Muhammad Yousaf gave him a detailed briefing on the import of CNG buses and the transit system.