Prime Minister Imran Khan has inaugurated the trial operation of the much-awaited Green Line Bus Service project today during his one-day visit to Karachi.
The inauguration was held at the main station of the Green Line project at Numaish Chowrangi. He inaugurated the first phase of the hybrid bus project under the Karachi Transformation Plan.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the premier said that no city can develop without a modern transport system.
"No modern city can function without a modern transportation system [...] and Karachi is Pakistan's engine of growth. If Karachi is prosperous, then Pakistan will become prosperous," he said.
The premier went on to say that there's a city like this in every country — London runs the United Kingdom, New York has a major impact on the United States, Paris has an impact on France.
"So just like this, if we are helping Karachi to prosper, it means that we are helping Pakistan [...] building a transportation system is the first step towards building a modern city," he said.
The prime minister lamented that several governments came and went, but "no one paid attention" to Karachi's transportation system.
"The management of these cities is modern, which is why the cities are developed," he said.
He shed light on environmental issues Karachi is facing due to the growing population and said that measures to reduce pollution must be taken.
The premier also discussed other issues, such as health insurance for the public, and urged the Sindh government to cooperate with the Centre in this regard.
It should be noted that the Greem Line bus service will comprise 80 hybrid buses that will ply a route of 22 kilometres from Surjani to the Municipal Park near Jama Cloth market with, 23 stations located on each km.
According to sources, a delegation of businessmen will call on him at the Governor House. The officials of the PTI Sindh region will also call on PM Imran Khan.
PM Khan will leave for Islamabad after the project's inauguration.
Green Line Bus Rapid Transit
The Green Line Bus project was announced by the PML-N's federal government in July 2014. On February 26, 2016, the foundation stone of the 17.8 km long track from Surjani to Guru Mandir was laid.
Modern state-of-the-art lifts and automatic ticketing systems will facilitate passengers on every bus station. All details about the arrival and departure of buses will be available on digital screens installed on bus stations.
Each bus will have a capacity of 200 to 250 passengers while the fare is expected to be between Rs20 and Rs50. The buses will have a complete system from USB ports to wheelchairs.
In the second phase of the project, buses will run to the Tower. Under the Green Line Bus project, a two-storey underpass is being constructed at Guru Mandir and Numaish Chowrangi, where not only buses will run on international standards, but accommodation will also be provided.
A control room with at least 900 cameras has also been set up for monitoring of the Green Line bus project and security of passengers to meet the requirements of modern times.
