ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Friday directed the Capital Development Authority to complete a feasibility study within three months for launching an electric tram project on two major routes in the federal capital. The directive came during the inauguration of a new electric bus depot and charging stations at Zero Point.
The minister was informed that all electric buses are currently operational across 21 routes in Islamabad, including Rawat, with daily ridership reaching 125000 passengers. Expressing satisfaction over the growing public response, Mr Naqvi set a new target to increase daily ridership to 250000 commuters. He emphasized the need to prioritize students and elderly citizens to ensure safe and reliable transportation.
During the visit, the interior minister travelled in an electric bus along with the CDA chairman, the inspector general of Islamabad Police, and other senior officials. He noted that the electric bus service, along with the metro system, is playing a key role in easing traffic congestion and improving urban mobility in Islamabad.
CDA officials briefed the minister that the Zero Point depot has the capacity to install 64 electric chargers, of which 50 are already operational while 14 more will be installed soon. Each charger can power two buses within two hours. The project has also been integrated with Google services to enhance route tracking and passenger convenience.
Regarding the proposed tram project, officials informed Mr Naqvi that the National University of Sciences and Technology has been engaged to conduct the feasibility study. The tram is planned to operate from Islamabad International Airport to Lake View Park and from Rawat to Lake View Park, potentially linking with the proposed Murree Glass Train project.
The minister also highlighted efforts to restore the Rawalpindi Islamabad railway service from Margalla Railway Station to Saddar Rawalpindi. Officials acknowledged that careful planning would be essential, recalling that a similar service launched in the 1990s was discontinued within months due to poor performance.
