Rana Zahid Tauseef Criticises Rs82bn Faisalabad Metro Bus Project, Calls for Underpasses and Citywide Infrastructure Development

Senior politician and former Federal Parliamentary Secretary Rana Zahid Tauseef has said that only one percent of the population will benefit from the Rs82 billion Metro Bus project currently underway in Faisalabad, while 30 percent of the people will face difficulties because the narrowing of roads will create traffic problems.

He said that if the same huge amount were spent on resolving Faisalabad’s problems and ending its backwardness, the city’s issues could be resolved completely and Faisalabad could become a world-class city.

Rana Zahid Tauseef said that the city’s first priority should be the construction of 40 underpasses. If the estimated cost of one underpass is approximately Rs500 million, the total cost would come to around Rs20 billion.

He said that in 2007-08, the estimated cost of the Inner Ring Road was Rs6 billion, but due to an increase in costs, the project could now require Rs15 billion.

He said 10 parking plazas were needed to improve vehicle parking and the traffic system. These plazas would cost around Rs10 billion, while shops on the ground floors could generate rental income for the administration.

Rana Zahid Tauseef said Rs10 billion should be spent on the redesigning and remodelling of roads and construction of flyovers. Another Rs5 billion could be used to operate electric buses, providing affordable transport facilities to the people, while Rs5 billion could be spent on establishing recreational parks.

He said Rs10 billion should be allocated for schools, colleges and universities to further improve the standard of education. Similarly, Rs10 billion should be spent on hospitals and rural dispensaries across the district.

Rana Zahid Tauseef further said that these measures could make the city signal-free. With the removal of traffic signals from major roads, traffic would flow smoothly like water. The construction of parking plazas would also make life easier for citizens, as Faisalabad is densely populated but not very large in terms of area.

He said new development projects and underpasses were also needed in the districts of Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot at the divisional level. Underpasses and other basic facilities were also required in Jaranwala, Tandlianwala, Samundri and Chak Jhumra.

He said that if the project were started from Dhadhi Wala, the urban limits would end at Jhang Road. Similarly, if it started from Fawara Chowk, the area would extend up to Ghulam Muhammadabad, while from Nishatabad it would extend up to D-Type Colony. In this way, the urban area would not exceed 15 kilometres.

He said the first underpass should be constructed on Jaranwala Road and a Ring Road should be built at Oawagat. An underpass was also necessary at Dhadhi Wala and Makwana.

He said a combined underpass was required at Kohinoor Chowk and Susan Road. Similarly, underpasses should be constructed at Station Chowk and GTS Chowk, while a combined underpass was needed at Gumti, Katchery Bazaar and Chiniot Bazaar Chowks.

Rana Zahid Tauseef said underpasses were also required at Narwala Chowk and Chenab Chowk, while Jinnah Colony should also have an underpass. Ghulam Muhammadabad Bara Qabristan Chowk should be remodelled.

He said the 11th underpass should be constructed at Daevoo Mor. Similarly, underpasses were required at Allied Mor, Sargodha Road, Multan Road to Jamia Chishtia Chowk, D-Type Colony, Roshanwala Bypass, Satiana Road, Jhal Khanuana, Machhli Farm on Satiana Road, Getianwala Chowk, Minerva Cinema Chowk, outside Jhang Bazaar, Novelty Bridge and Canal Road.

He said that along with underpasses, remodelling was also necessary on these routes. The roads connecting Jaranwala, Samundri, Tandlianwala, Dijkot, Saloni Jhal and Adda Paolian Jaranwala also needed to be remodelled.

He said the construction of Ring Roads around the city would divert half of the traffic onto the Ring Road. Traffic would then move smoothly from Jaranwala Road to Ghulam Muhammadabad and from Dhadhi Wala to Ghulam Muhammadabad Colony.

Rana Zahid Tauseef said the same project could also be used to improve the street-lighting system in the city. The availability of clean drinking water was also essential.

He reiterated that underpasses were also needed in Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot.