Multiworks: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has initiated the metro rehabilitation project for the corridor stretching from Saddar to Faizabad, with an allocated budget of Rs718.9 million. The project is slated for completion by December.
The Punjab Masstransit Authority has engaged Nespak as a consultant and entrusted the RDA with the rehabilitation work, given its role in executing the original project in 2014. Consequently, M/S Salman Enterprises has been selected for the construction tasks.
A senior RDA official disclosed that the first phase of the metro rehabilitation is already underway, focusing on the elevated track in Shamsabad, Rehmanabad, and Waris Khan. He noted that over Rs700 million has already been released by the Punjab Mass transit Authority for these crucial repairs. The contractor has a six-month deadline to complete the work by December.
Nespak’s survey highlighted the urgent need for repairs, especially given the nine-year gap since the metro’s inauguration. Addressing the challenge of working during metro operation hours, the official explained that most repairs are being conducted at night, from 11:00 PM until morning. During the day, work is confined to one side of the road, ensuring that the other side remains open for traffic.
The official also mentioned that while there is a pressing need to repair the metro platforms, the current funds are earmarked solely for track repairs, with no provisions for station renovations.
Muhammad Mudassar, Operations Manager of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service, confirmed that due to the metro rehabilitation work, one lane from Rawalpindi to Islamabad has been closed. As a result, buses traveling to Islamabad bypass three stations: Shamsabad, Rehmanabad, and Waris Khan, with passengers being dropped off at the subsequent station. However, buses from Islamabad to Rawalpindi continue to stop at these stations.
“For the safety of buses and passengers, security guards are deployed on the track to manually manage the buses on the open lane,” Mudassar stated. He emphasized that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure passenger comfort during the construction period, and the number of passengers has not decreased despite the ongoing work.
The metro rehabilitation project reflects the importance of maintaining the infrastructure that was initially completed in 2014 at a cost of Rs44.8 billion, shared almost equally by the federal and Punjab governments. The Rawalpindi section of the project cost Rs19.17 billion, while the Islamabad portion cost Rs23.84 billion.
The total length of the Metro Bus Corridor is approximately 23 km, featuring 8.6 km of elevated track, 10 km at grade, and a four-kilometer trench. The system operates at least sixty-eight air-conditioned buses, serving an estimated 150,000 passengers daily. The corridor includes 24 stations, with 10 located on Murree Road and 14 in Islamabad.
In summary, the RDA’s metro rehabilitation project aims to enhance the metro corridor’s infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for its daily commuters. With the ongoing efforts, the project is expected to significantly improve the metro services between Saddar and Faizabad by the end of the year.
Stay tuned with Multiworks for more news and updates about Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
