Muhammad Saleem

The Punjab government’s planned metro bus project is seen as a panacea for Faisalabad’s public transport woes.

Ashiq Hussain, an urban planning expert, told WealthPK that the planned project would change the game for transportation in Faisalabad, enabling people, particularly labourers, to commute comfortably. He said that millers were also finding it difficult to transport their workforce as the factories had been established miles away from urban areas. Hussain said some factory owners had purchased buses for the pick-and-drop of workers to stay ahead of the curve and avoid labour shortages. “However, this puts an additional financial burden on them.” “The public transport project would go a long way in strengthening the economy of Faisalabad, which has a direct impact on the national economy because of its textile industry,” he suggested. The urban planning expert said the textile sector was the mainstay of the national economy, fetching billions of dollars in foreign exchange for the country.

He said workers faced problems while travelling to and from their factories because of shortage of public transport. Hussain said that the Punjab government’s metro bus project would also help improve connectivity and mobility, ensuring better access to jobs and educational institutes. “The project will also revamp Faisalabad’s urban landscape and boost the real estate market,” he said. “With the project, urban development will be accelerated, as investors will flock to set up new housing colonies.” Tariq Mahmood, a teacher at a state-run university, highlighting the economic impact of the public transport project on the district, told WealthPK that it would certainly kickstart economic growth in multiple ways. “The launch of the project would create jobs in the construction and maintenance sector.

The metro bus project can also lead to the development of commercial and residential areas, which will drive property values and generate new business opportunities.” Mahmood said improved transportation would help expand the local labour market, enabling businesses to hire talented and skilled workers to broaden their horizons. Besides, he said the project would also enhance Faisalabad’s competitiveness as the country’s textile hub. He pointed out that Lahore and Karachi had good public transport facilities, but Faisalabad lacked a proper public transportation system. “Believe it or not, improved public transportation is crucial for the growth of any business when considering where to locate. This metro bus project will help Faisalabad attract more domestic and foreign investment,” Mahmood hoped. “To attract and retain skilled workers, we need to make Faisalabad a livable urban centre,” he said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk