PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is set to inaugurate new buses for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Peshawar, as the fleet is being expanded from 244 to 296 buses.
A special Pink Bus Service comprising five buses for women will also be inaugurated. The service will operate from Gulbahar Chowk to Karkhano Market along a 21-kilometre corridor.
Officials said the new additions are aimed at expanding public transport facilities and improving mobility for commuters, particularly women.
A one-megawatt solar power project at the Chamkani Depot will also be inaugurated. The project is expected to generate annual savings of around Rs74.4 million and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 469 tonnes per year.
Meanwhile, the Mall of Hayatabad BRT Depot has also been inaugurated. The new depot is expected to make BRT operations from Hayatabad more efficient.
KP Govt Seeks Progress Report on BRT Development Works
Earlier, to speed up the slow-moving development and civil works on the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has sought detailed progress reports and directed the relevant authorities to resolve technical and administrative issues.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Samiullah Khan issued the directives while chairing a meeting to review the progress, current status and future roadmap of civil works related to the TransPeshawar urban transport project.
The meeting focused primarily on pending works at various BRT stations and corridors asking officials to provide clear timelines for completion of the onging work. Samiullah Khan directed the concerned departments to accelerate the remaining work and ensure that all projects are completed within the approved timelines.
He also ordered authorities to resolve technical and administrative issues through better coordination so that further delays could be avoided. Officials briefed the meeting on the pace and status of civil works at several locations, including Mall of Hayatabad, Chamkani, Reach-I from Malik Saad Flyover, Reach-II from Malik Saad Flyover to Aman Chowk and Reach-III from Aman Chowk to Karkhano Market.
The meeting was informed about various obstacles affecting the progress of the works. The Special Assistant directed the relevant institutions to address the issues through practical solutions and strengthen monitoring of the remaining activities.
He stressed that there would be no compromise on the quality of construction work and directed officials to ensure that all activities meet the required technical standards and specifications. The meeting was also informed that the Pink Buses and BRT Solarization Project would be inaugurated shortly. Officials said the final consignment of newly procured buses would soon arrive in Karachi before being transported to Peshawar.
