PESHAWAR: The operating authorities of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Peshawar have urged the government to expedite the payment of Rs. 450 million to ensure the continued operation of the service.
With a daily ridership of 300,000 commuters in the provincial capital, the BRT is currently facing the risk of closure due to a shortage of funds.
In a letter addressed to the interim Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the North-South Travels (Pvt) Limited and East-West Transport (Pvt) Limited have highlighted the pressing issue that, if not promptly resolved, could have adverse consequences for the people of Peshawar.
The non-payment of the outstanding amount of Rs. 450 million is placing a significant financial burden on the BRT system.
If left unresolved, there is a fear that bus operations may come to a halt, severely impacting over 300,000 individuals who rely on this transportation service for their livelihoods and daily activities.
The letter emphasizes that the government is legally obligated to release payment against monthly invoices within each month.
However, despite repeated demands and reminders, the invoices from February to April have not been cleared, leading to the outstanding amount.
The operating authorities have expressed their concerns to the relevant authorities but have not yet received a response.
Besides, the funds are crucial for various expenses, including diesel, lubricants, parts, electricity bills, and employee salaries.
It should be noted that last year, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initiated an investigation into alleged corruption related to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Peshawar project.
Source: Business Recorder
Hello