GUJAR KHAN: Despite much anticipation, the electric bus project in Gujar Khan has yet to become operational, leaving residents frustrated as the delivered e buses have remained parked since October 7. Regular commuters continue to face daily transport hardships due to delays in launching the service, which was expected to provide affordable and reliable travel options for the region.

Residents of Gujar Khan, Daultala, and Mandra who commute to Rawalpindi and Islamabad for work, education, and routine matters are compelled to rely on poorly maintained vans. These substandard vehicles not only lack safety and comfort but are also charging excessively high fares, adding to the financial burden of daily travelers.

Several commuters reported that local transporters are charging as much as Rs200 for a one way journey between Gujar Khan and Rawat. According to citizens, fares on routes including Daultala Mandra, Peer Phullahi, Guliana, and Bewal are even higher, with no regulatory checks in place to curb overcharging.

Legal practitioner Raja Mansoor expressed concern over the slow progress of infrastructure development, stating that the construction of e bus stops is moving at an extremely slow pace for reasons that remain unclear. He emphasized that the delay is directly impacting the timely launch of the service.

Another resident, Kalim Bhatti, criticized the placement of passenger shelters, noting that they are being constructed at less useful locations along the GT Road. He added that key stops such as Negail linkage, New Begam, and Baba Shaheed have been ignored, despite high commuter demand at these points.

When contacted, Secretary Regional Transport Authority Rawalpindi Syed Abbas Shirazi stated that the official schedule for launching the e buses in Gujar Khan has yet to be finalized. Meanwhile, residents have urged the Punjab chief minister to take immediate notice of the prolonged delay and ensure the early operationalization of the electric bus service.