PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Tuesday directed the relevant authorities to ensure the start of work on the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project by August 12.

The orders were issued during a meeting convened at the chief minister`s secretariat to discuss the shifting of utilities from the BRT corridor, said a statement issued here.

The CM chaired the meeting, where transport minister Malik Shah Mohammad Wazir, MPA Mian Khaleequr Rehman, secretaries of the relevant departments, head of the Strategic Support Unit, Peshawar commissioner, and officials of the PeshawarDevelopment Authority, Pesco, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, and Water and Sanitation Services, Peshawar.

Mr Khattak also ordered the proper monitoring of the pace of work on the main corridor and allied routes of BRT and the relocation of utilities on both sides of the main corridor.

He said the traffic diversion plan for the project`s execution should be widely publicised in order to raise awareness about the use of route once the project is put on ground.

The CM ordered the hiring of experts having the relevant experience for the mega project.

The relevant officials informed him about the progress of the BRT project, relocation of utilities, finalisation of project packages and other issues.

They also said the project`s PC-I okayed by the Central Development Working Party awaited approval by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council.

Mr Khattak asked the relevant authori-ties to secure the approval of the project`s PC-I from the ECNEC to put on ground the project`s packages.

He ordered the construction of the BRT`s depot within the bus terminal for which 900 kanals of land has already been acquired at the Chamkani Bus Terminal.

The CM also ordered the acquisition of more land for the construction of a flyover there.

He approved the cost, construction and implementation phase of the utilities` shifted from the main corridor.

The statement said of the Rs905 million, Rs500 million had been set aside for the shifting of PTCL utilities and Rs150 million had already been paid for the purpose, while of Rs300 million, Rs250 million had been paid to the SNGPL for the relocation of its installations.

It added that Rs100 million had been paid to the Pesco for Reach-1, while Rs31 million was to be paid for grid station.

The CM directed the SNGPL officials to ensure the immediate relocation of utilitiesandsaidelectricpolesshould alsobe shifted from the main University Road, while the FWO should accelerate work on the project.

Mr Khattak also ordered the shifting of tubewells from the main corridor saying there should be no halt to the flow of drinking water.

He said the contractor should ensure speedy work on the sewerage line and footpaths.

The CM ordered the publicity of the BRT traffic diversion plan for the convenience of the people and said the traffic police should be tal(en on board.

`The timeline should be followed, while the evaluation of One and Three Packages should be completed by July 6 and the second by July 18,` he said.

He said the BRT would use one dedicated lane, while the combined vehicular traffic would use three lanes.

The CM also ordered the hiring of experts, drivers and conductors and said theyshouldundergofurthertrainingforthe smooth execution of the project.