Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting on transport projects, emphasizing prioritizing less developed districts. Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated, “The culture of giving everything new to big cities has to change; we will bring villages on par with big cities.” The meeting reviewed progress on several initiatives, including the provision of electric buses and the development of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the allocation of 240 electric buses to 24 districts in the initial phase. An additional 500 electric buses will be allocated for Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Rawalpindi between August and October. Another 600 electric buses are expected in Punjab from November to December, of which 400 will be allocated to Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Lahore under the Punjab Clean Air Program.
The meeting also reviewed the Gujranwala BRT project, an approximately 22-kilometer system planned from Rahwali to Emanabad with 28 stations. 80 feeder buses will connect the BRT to the city and surrounding areas. The possibility of extending the BRT to Gakkhar Mandi was also considered. The system is designed to provide two-way transportation every eight minutes. Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed authorities to implement an intelligent traffic management system along the BRT route and establish four electric bus depots.
Progress on the Faisalabad Orange Line and Red Line transport systems was also reviewed. The 23.4-kilometer Red Line will have 24 stations and facilitate over 185,000 passengers. The 29-kilometer Orange Line will have 21 stations with a capacity of over 111,000 passengers. A route from Feed Mill to Salami Chowk was added on Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s instructions.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif urged the Transport Department to promptly initiate all public service projects and design electric bus routes based on passenger travel patterns. She stated, “We want to provide buses by determining public needs; we only have to think about the public.” Reiterating her commitment to equitable development across the province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “All districts are equal to me; equal opportunities and facilities should be provided in the journey of development.” The meeting reviewed transport routes in Gujranwala and Faisalabad.