ISLAMABAD, 01 JUNE (DNA) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will inaugurate the 23-kilometer Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Monday.

The project cost 44.84 billion rupees. The Rawalpindi part cost 19.17 billion rupees while the Islamabad part 23.84 billion rupees that include five billion on the Peshawar Mor Interchange.

It is signal free and dedicated corridor having two flyover, 14 pedestrian underpasses and 13 vehicular underpasses to make it signal free. A total of 68 articulated AC buses to be operated by a private company. The number will be increased upto 100 buses, an official told journalists during the visit of the entire route in metro buses.

He said around 135,000 passengers will use the bus service per day. The project has been completed within the approved cost and no increase in cost has been allowed.

Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad Shahbaz Sharif said the project would complete in January/February 2015 but was delayed due to the PTI’-PATs sit-in protest.

He said the Bus service will provide better transportation to the people of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. He said this is a unique project of its kind meant to facilitate the masses.

Shahbaz Sharif added that the project has been completed in a record time with complete transparency. He said the government will continue to work for the welfare of the masses of the country in all circumstances. He said that 24 bus stations have been constructed along the 23 kilometers long route.

He said the government will continue to work for the welfare of the masses in all circumstances. The Chief Minister said elaborate security arrangements have been made for security of the passengers, buses and the infrastructure.

To a question, he said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will create better transportation and new era of development in the country. He said many projects of energy are underway to overcome the shortage of energy crises. To another question, he said Metro Bus service will soon start in Multan. DNA