CDGK’s CNG Bus Project stalls

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) is facing difficulties in launching its CNG bus project, Daily Times learnt on Saturday.

According to CDGK sources, the Sindh government handed over the documents of possession of 9 defunct depots of the Karachi Transport Corporation (KTC) to the CDGK in September 2006 but physical possession is not possible as the depots are being used by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

The KTC was disbanded in 1997 and its employees were relieved with golden handshakes for which the government received a loan of Rs 1,263 million from the World Bank.The CDGK Mass Transit Cell (MTC) has invited investors for the proposed scheme, which will introduce 500 CNG buses on 40 green routes of the city.

However, the basic infrastructure facilities for the scheme are yet to be finalized, with the biggest concern being the acquirement of the necessary land for bus terminals. The MTC has also announced the establishment of a project implementation and monitoring unit for this project.

After devolution of power and emergence of district governments, transport departments, including the District Road Transport Authority (DRTA), Traffic Engineering Bureau (TEB) of the defunct Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and the Karachi Public Transport Society (KPTS), which is responsible for the operation of radio cabs and Metro air-conditioned coaches, all came under the CDGK's control.

In a meeting held at the Sindh governor house on August 22, 2005, a decision regarding the handover to the CDGK was taken and the district coordination officer wrote a letter to the ministry of labour, transport, industry and commerce in this regard on June 21, 2006. The Sindh government transferred the possession rights of 9 KTC depots, one terminal and one office, situated on the third floor of Civic Centre to the CDGK.

The depots include the Landhi, Korangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Mehran (Model Colony, Malir), North Karachi, Surjani Town, Orangi Town and Model (SITE) depots. According to the source, a meeting between CDGK officials and the Planning Commission of Pakistan (PCP) was held in Islamabad last week, where the CDGK raised the issue of possession of the KTC depots by LEAs.

The depots in Korangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir and Mehran are being used by the Pakistan Rangers, while the Orangi Town depot is being used by the Karachi Police, which has established the Peerabad Police Station and a traffic section in the depot.The CDGK approached the Sindh chief secretary for assistance in the matter but he advised them to approach Federal Home Advisor Rehman Malik, as he would be able to pass their request on to Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza.

Under the terms of transfer of the KTC property, the CDGK will be required to pay the Rs 1,263 million-loan back to the World Bank. However, it has still not been decided who will pay the interest of Rs 400 million on the loan.

Although the CDGK is yet to take physical possession of the property, the source added that on June 15, the Sindh Finance Department wrote to CDGK, reminding them to pay the first installment of the loan or face the deduction of funds at the source

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Such projects are always have to be shed by the local governments as they can't do any thing against the wagon and truck mafia in both Lahore and Karachi............... Ironic Indeed.