PM Imran to inaugurate Peshawar BRT today (13 August 2020)


PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, the flagship project of the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, will be launched today.
Prime Minister Imran Khan along with KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan will inaugurate the project at Chamkani Depot at 3pm. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak are also expected to be at the launch.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information and Local Government Kamran Bangash told the media on Wednesday that 360 bicycles for both men and women have been arranged, besides buses, on the 27km bus rapid transit (BRT) track.
Bangash added that the project would provide relief to people in the provincial capital in terms of better transport. Speaking about the details of the project, Bangash said the ZU-BRT uses a third-generation technology system, which will benefit the passengers.
Passengers queue at a counter to buy tickets at a terminal of the newly-built Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a rapid bus transit system running along an east-west corridor, during a test-run in Peshawar on August 5, 2020. Photo: AFP
He added options of lifting and bus services will be provided for special persons as well.
“The opening of BRT route would stop rickshaws without permits. Buses and wagons are being also phased out from the roads and Mazda bus drivers and wagon drivers, who can operate BRT buses, have also been integrated into the service,” he added.
Bangash added that BRT buses were environmental-friendly and comfortable.

Rs70billion BRT project

The Rs70 billion BRT project consists of a 27.5km main track and 31 stations while the length of the feeder routes is 62km and has 146 stops. The main track is connected to seven different areas of the city so that the people can travel from their areas in small buses to reach the main route. Three mega commercial plazas would be completed in June 2021, but the bus parking areas are ready.
Official documents have estimated that the initial estimate for the BRT project was Rs49.43 billion, however, the cost of the revised PC-1 had increased to Rs66.43 billion, which was further increased to Rs70 billion.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and AFD had provided loans amounting to $593 million loan for the project, while the remaining amount was provided by the provincial government.
Buses are seen parked at a terminal of the newly-built Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a rapid bus transit system running along an east-west corridor, during a test-run in Peshawar on August 5, 2020. Photo: AFP
The estimated cost of BRT's civil work (27km track and stations), depots and ITS has increased from Rs32,863 million to Rs52,446 million. Expenditure on parking plazas and off corridor facilities has increased from Rs95 million to Rs320 million. Bike-sharing facility has cost Rs132 million whereas the ADB's financial charges, supervision cost and advertisement expenditures have increased from Rs493 million to Rs1,156 million.

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