Maryam Nawaz Launches Electric Bus Service in Wazirabad
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday inaugurated electric bus service in Wazirabad as part of a broader initiative aimed at providing public transport to people across the province while also curbing carbon emissions to tackle the climate change challenge which is affecting Pakistan at an alarming pace.
Earlier on Monday, Maryam attended the launching ceremony of the service in Mianwali after the China-made electric buses were first introduced on a route in Lahore in February this year.
As far as the overall project is concerned, the Punjab government has opted to launch electric buses in different cities and towns in phases. For example, the provincial authorities have initially approved one route for Mianwali given that it is a small city.This is a gift for the people of Wazirabad,” Maryam told a gathering in Wazirabad — one of the regions affected by raging floodwaters of Chenab.
As Wazirabad got an organised public transport system for the time, the chief minister noted that the travel cost between Gujranwala and Wazirabad would drop drastically from Rs200 to just Rs20. Travel would be free for women and students, she added.
The chief minister also talked about the planned Metro Bus project in Gujranwala which she said would be better than that in Lahore. “Previously, development was limited to major cities. Now, every city in Punjab is witnessing progress,” Maryam remarked.
We will not rest until every flood-affected individual in Punjab is rehabilitated,” the chief minister vowed and noted that timely action taken the Punjab government had saved many lives. “Had we not moved people in time, it could have been a massive tragedy.”
Maryam said the government would provide Rs1 million to those whose homes were completely destroyed in the flood, with Rs500,000 in compensation for partially damaged ones. Talking about the scale of the current disaster, the chief minister said Punjab was battling the worst floods in history, but the water level was receding thankfully.
Paying tribute to all ministers and administrative officers involved in relief efforts, she said the entire provincial cabinet is currently present in flood-affected areas, actively monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the chief also mentioned the improvement in law and order, saying the performance of Crimes Control Department (CCD) led to a marked reduction in crime rate.
