Transit troubles

The Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit system, which has been an object of some controversy since work on it began in 2017, remains a topic of dispute between various groups. Last week, protests were staged in Peshawar by various organisations against the transit system, essentially after heavy rains over the week led to portions of it becoming flooded. The opening of the system has been temporarily delayed; the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has attributed this to rains disrupting work, and emphasised that March 23 was always intended to be a ‘soft launch’ rather than a final date for the inauguration of the highly publicised project.The first phase of the transit project in Peshawar cost Rs.68 billion, loaned by the ADP, which also oversaw the project. Critics have pointed out that this sum is larger than the amounts spent on the metro bus systems in Lahore and Islamabad. However, it is relevant that the bus transit project in Peshawar is to cover, once it is completed, a larger expanse of the city with 400,000 to 500,000 passengers using it each day. There is also to be a larger number of routes.While a mass transport system is badly needed in Peshawar, and the vision behind the BRT was a sound one, the problems that have since been pointed out deserve to be inquired into impartially. Last year, the Peshawar High Court had also sought answers on allegations of corruption in the project and sought full disclosure on all the expenses involved. Most disturbing however are the suggestions that the design of the system is flawed, permitting no room for buses to cross each other at some points along the route and with drainage apparently an issue as exposed by recent rains. These are matters that need to be examined. We would expect the provincial government to provide answers to the concerns of people who had hoped to benefit from the transit system. We certainly hope they will be able to do so. As new doubts are expressed about the project and allegations continue to be brought up concerning costs and the building of the elaborate route, it is necessary that concerns be removed so that the system emerges as one that can enhance life in one of our most important cities and offer its people an easier and cheaper way of commuting as they go about their daily business or life.

from The News International - Editorial https://ift.tt/2FE6BuK