LAHORE - Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the provincial government is introducing a new transport culture in the shape of metro bus service through which commuters will not only get rid of uncomfortable and old traveling means but they will reach their destination on time through rapid and comfortable transport.
Addressing the meeting held to review the progress on the project of metro bus service on Sunday, he said the work on the project of metro bus service was going on speedily. He said this project was a revolution in the public transport sector which will help transform the public transport system according to international standard.
Shahbaz Sharif said the project of metro bus service reflected the public service vision of Punjab government. He said under this vision, government resources were being utilised for improving the condition of common man and the development work on the first phase of 32 kilometer long metro bus service project from Gajumata to Shahdara was being carried out speedily. The chief minister said the bus stops of metro bus service had been designed keeping in view the needs of the passengers where level boarding would be arranged for the disabled and old age passengers for boarding in the bus. He said that the passengers would feel comfort due to facility of fan, potable water and clean toilets on these bus stops.
Terming the project of metro bus service a great cultural change in public transport system in Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif directed that the provision of facility of escalators for disabled passengers should also be considered. He said that the air-conditioned bus service in the hot weather of Punjab was not less than a blessing for citizens. He said the uncomfortable traveling means like chingchi and old buses were against the human dignity. Therefore, comfortable and rapid public transport of international standard is being introduced for commuters, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif said women, students, disabled and common man equally benefit from this facility. He said that due to the high standard of metro bus service, the people belonging to elite segment will also prefer to travel with common man in these buses as this service will be rapid, comfortable and reliable. Shahbaz Sharif directed that beautiful landscaping of flyovers be made coming in the route of metro bus service.
He said that due to use of horticulture expertise, the concrete structure will give an eye-catching look naturally. Earlier, representative of NESPAK Azhar Masood informed the meeting about various technical aspects of metro bus service.
Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Vice Chairman Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Head of Metro Bus Authority Sibtain Fazl-e-Haleem, Chairman Planning & Development, Provincial Secretaries, DG LDA and other officers attended the meeting.
Saturday, 2 June 2012
CM terms Metro Bus a cultural change - The Nation, Pakistan
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Climate change: Call to establish flood risk zone - DAWN.com
Displaced women cross a flooded field carrying bags of donated food, as they take refuge on a roadside in Mirpur Khas.—AP PhotoKARACHI: Given that drastic climate change is inevitable, the only way to lessen its impact is to prepare ourselves and adapt to it in the best possible manner.
In this regard, a city-specific roadmap was discussed at a workshop, Climate change adaptation strategy for Karachi — a roadmap, at a hotel on Tuesday.
Organised by a non-governmental organisation, Shehri — Citizens for a Better Environment, the event identified and examined various factors that led to the present climatic conditions, and assessed the critical vulnerabilities that Karachi may be exposed to due to climate change.
Urban planner Farhan Anwar highlighted the need to involve the city government in order to realise an improvement in adapting to climate change.
Using visual aid, Anwar identified areas that are vulnerable to floods, droughts, sea-level rise and extreme heat events. He laid emphasis on the urgent need for a strategy to combat climate change in Karachi
He noted that a national disaster management report had discussed the impact of climate change on transport, energy and other sectors when it should have taken into account urban areas, which are important stakeholders.
Referring to the areas that are dotted with slums and hill settlements threatened by floods, Anwar said that there was a vital need to establish a ‘flood risk zone’ in order to rate the risk possibility.
“And to do that, we need a flood plan map, he added.
“Apart from Malir and Lyari rivers, we have bloated drainage and sewage systems,” he said, “In worst case scenario, in terms of flooding, storm water and rainfall, 50 per cent of the entire population in vulnerable areas will have to be evacuated. We need a surface management plan for Karachi, and should evaluate and improve the design and maintenance of drainage system.”
While discussing the critical challenges, Anwar noted that there was no effective policy or regulation in place to deal with disasters.
“The rural Karachi will be threatened by drought-like situation,” warned Anwar, drawing attention to the obvious effects of climate change, including a decrease in green spaces and cultivated farmland.
He also highlighted the economic impact of climate change in coastal areas, especially to the fisheries.
“We need a flood insurance cover and develop a ground water profile and policy,” he said, while stressing on a drought plan for Karachi along with a revision policies in various institutions.
Earlier, Roland de Souza of Shehri took his audience through a series of visual slides and highlighted the cost the world was paying for its luxuries. He called the entire issue a ‘cancer’ and advised the audience to make others aware of this ‘disease’.
“In 2010, the country affected most was Pakistan, and there will be a repeat of this,” he warned, zeroing in on elite consumerism and increased dependence on private vehicles as major causes of greenhouse emission.
Dr Noman Ahmed, professor and chairman of architecture and planning department at the NED University, discussed the role of stakeholders and other various entities in combating climate change. Replying to a query, Dr Ahmed underlined the importance of public participation regarding climate change.
“We need to demonstrate the negative impact of climate change in our day-to-day lives, and this will rapidly bring awareness among the public,” he said.
General Secretary of Shehri Amber Alibhai noted that at present our institutions cannot deal with the task of mitigating dramatic climate changes.
Highlighting the water problem, she cited the example of Gadap where people had given up crop cultivation due to water scarcity. Another reason, she said, was gravel excavation that had a serious impact on the city.
“Reti bajri comes from riverbeds that we need for our sustainability,” she said, adding that this is a serious impact of real estate that should be addressed.
A short documentary on the hazards of climate change, put together by students of the NED University, was also screened at the workshop.
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