PESHAWAR: The cost of the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project has gone up from Rs49 billion to over Rs68 billion due to the changes to its design and ‘adjustment’ of the Asian Development Bank funds, the provincial cabinet’s last meeting was informed on Thursday.

The cabinet met with Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in the chair and ministers and administrative secretaries in attendance.

The revised PC-1 of the provincial government flagship project was laid before a special meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) for approval on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) director general Israrul Haq briefed the cabinet about the revision of the BRT’s PC-1 and other affairs of the project.

The PDA chief told the meeting that the BRT was not only a bus corridor but it was also an integrated plan to develop the provincial capital.

He said around Rs30 billion would be spent on the construction of 27 kilometers long BRT corridor and that there would be drains on both sides of the corridor and construction of mix traffic roads.

The PDA chief said the buses would cost about Rs7.5 billion, while the taxes amounting to Rs2.4 billion would be paid as duties for the vehicles.

The commercial plazas included in the project will cost Rs8.5 billion, fleet scrapping Rs1 billion, utilities relocation Rs1.5 billion, land cost Rs1.5 billion and additional Rs11 billion will be spent on improvement of provincial capital roads.

The cabinet was informed that the PC-I was revised due to adjustment of funds being provided by the main donor, Asian Development Bank, and design changes.

A statement issued here said Mr Khattak told the meeting that the province was ravaged by war when the PTI formed the government in 2013.

He said his government successfully managed to restore public trust in the government, restoration of peace and independence of government institutions.

Mr Khattak thanked the provincial bureaucracy for extending their support to his government.

The cabinet approved the KP Delegation of Financial Powers Rules and KP Labour Policy.

It said the labour policy had been prepared in the light of the international guidelines and best practices and after consultation with the stakeholders.

The cabinet also approved the child labour policy, which is first of its kind in the country, which will help control child labour and factors leading to it.

It approved grant to Swabi University from the proceeds of the tobacco cess and also formed a committee to review mines and forest related laws for necessary amendments.

The cabinet also approved timely provision of the royalty for the areas producing oil and gas and conduct of tests through Educational Testing and Evaluation Authority to ensure transparency and merit in government jobs.

It approved the Livestock Policy 2018 to ensure animal breeding so that more means of income are generated for general public and decided to extend the incentives under the KP Industrial Policy 2016 until June 2019.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2018