LAHORE – In a major step towards equitable development, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the deployment of 240 electric buses to 24 districts of South Punjab, emphasizing the need to end the tradition of prioritizing big cities for new projects.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review transport initiatives, the Chief Minister said, “We must shift the mindset that only major cities deserve modern facilities. Villages and remote areas deserve the same progress.”
She directed the Department of Transport to ensure the early provision of electric buses to underserved districts as a top priority, signaling the start of more inclusive infrastructure development.
According to the briefing, 500 e-buses are scheduled to be deployed in Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Rawalpindi from August to October, with another 600 arriving between November and December. Additionally, under the Punjab Clean Air Program, 400 more e-buses will be allocated to Sheikhupura, Nankana, Kasur, and Lahore.
The meeting also assessed progress on major transportation projects:
- Gujranwala BRT: A 22-km route with 28 stations from Rahwali to Eminabad. Plans include 80 feeder buses, with a proposal to extend to Ghakhar Mandi and a smart traffic control system for efficient operations. Four electric bus depots will support the BRT.
- Faisalabad Transport Lines:
- Red Line: A 23.4-km corridor with 24 stations, expected to serve over 185,000 passengers daily.
- Orange Line: Spanning 29 km with 21 stations, it will benefit over 111,000 daily commuters.
- Route extension: The route from FIEDMC to Salami Chowk will also be added following the CM’s instructions.
Maryam Nawaz stressed that routes must be designed based on public mobility needs and directed the immediate initiation of all transport projects for the benefit of citizens. She also reviewed the existing and proposed transport routes in Gujranwala and Faisalabad.
This transport overhaul aligns with her government’s broader vision of eco-friendly urban mobility and balanced development across Punjab.
