CDA to Engage Private Firms for Building 4 Bus Terminals in Islamabad
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced plans to build four new bus terminals on the outskirts of Islamabad, in addition to a national bus terminal to be constructed in sector I-11.
The move comes in response to the increasing traffic load on the city’s roads, which has caused widespread congestion due to a lack of adequate infrastructure.
CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal stated that the agency would soon be calling for proposals from private firms to construct the new satellite bus terminals.
The proposed locations include Tarnol, Rawat, and Satra Meel, and the CDA will provide support and approval to the selected firms.
In addition to the terminals, the CDA is also exploring the option of engaging private transporters to launch express services on various routes within the city.
The authority has been in talks with the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) to put 150 buses on 13 new routes in the capital at subsidized rates. However, private transporters are also being encouraged to start their own express services.
The CDA had already allotted 32 acres in I-11 for the national bus terminal, with four acres reserved for commercial purposes. The civic authority was focusing on the detailed design and feasibility of the proposed terminal in I-14.
It is important to note that In the absence of proper terminals, many makeshift and unauthorized bus stands have been operating throughout the city, causing chaos and adding to traffic congestion.
The new terminals are expected to provide much-needed relief to motorists and improve the overall transportation system in Islamabad.