T HIS refers to the news item about the Punjab chief minister offering to help launch a metro bus-like project in Karachi.
We have heard much about metro bus projects of Lahore and RawalpindiIslamabad. Karachi is a much bigger and sprawling city.
For a project of any significant utility it will be several times more expensive than the corresponding Punjab projects. Besides, during the construction phase, the disruption would be colossal. If such amounts are to be spent and such a magnitude of disruption faced, then we might as well consider a full-fledged transit system, including underground, surface and elevated segments.
Thus, I propose an alternative interim measure. This would involve the use of the underutilised Lyari Expressway for multi-car buses on one side of the city and introduction of fast modern and frequent (every five minutes during rush hours and every half hour during other times) commuter rail system from Keamari to Landhi.
Connecting LEW and commuter rail stops could be the cross-town express busesrunning on dedicated lanes on such major roads as Rashid Minhas, Karsaz, Shaheed-iMillat, Garden, Chakiwara and Mauripur.
Such a system will cost much less than did the Punjab version of metro buses and will be more effective in solving Karachi`s transport and traffic problems.
Later on we might consider an elevated light rail system on north-south arteries like University Road and Shahrah-i-Pakistan.
Prof (Dr) ArifKazmi Karachi (2) TH IS refers to a letter under the above heading in this column (May 30) which states that the economic and social priorities of our country hardly allow the metro bus project to be at the top of the agenda while ignoring education, health, and law and order sectors.
I respect the author`s views but would like to point out that the metro bus is a much appreciated gif t for the people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
I have travelled from Murree Road to Pak Secretariat for years daily. I used to write letters to newspapers and pray to God for a respectable and efficient transport system from Rawalpindi Sadar to the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad.
I have long retired from government service and seldom travel this route but can appreciate the relief that the commuters on this route must feel after launching the metro. The system will benefit commuters especially the lower middle class. The government must be praised for this project.
