ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus committee chairperson Hanif Abbasi has rejected claims that the structure of the metro bus route was damaged by Monday’s earthquake.

“We have a 24 kilometre structure, with around nine kilometres of elevated structure with complex stations and overheard pedestrian crossings and no major damage has been reported,” the former MNA said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“We even have up to 400 metres of bus stations made of glass, but I do not know if any glass panel or false ceiling or anything serious – even an electric pole – fell,” he said. He said that criticism in the media and on social media tried to prove that the structure could not withstand the tremors. “We completed this mega project in record time, but that doesn’t mean the quality of construction was poor,” Rawalpindi Commissioner Zahid Saeed said.

When asked about the recent incident that led to the death of a passerby after concrete from the metro bus elevated road fell on him, Mr Abbasi said that the concerned contractor had been penalised and Rs3 million had been given to the family of the deceased as compensation.

He said that, contrary to standard practice, it is the contractors who are responsible for all damages and loss up to two years after the completion of the project, instead of just one year.