Punjab govt approves Gujranwala Mass Transit Project to benefit over 51,000 daily commuters

LAHORE: The Punjab government approved the Gujranwala Mass Transit Project in a meeting held on Thursday to facilitate daily commuters.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and other officials attended the meeting.

With this approval, more than 51,000 daily commuters are expected to benefit from the project once completed. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who also participated in the meeting, said the Mass Transit Project is a long-overdue right of the people of Gujranwala.

He expressed his happiness over the city’s development and the convenience it will bring to the public.

During the meeting, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar briefed participants about the project, calling it a historic initiative aimed at serving the people. The project will span over 30 kilometers, from Eminabad to Ghakhar, and will operate 40 electric articulated buses, ensuring modern and efficient transport for the city’s residents.

While new projects are being launched, existing buses are not adequately maintained, undermining the preservation of public assets.

Earlier this week, a metro bus met with an accident near Azadi Chowk on Monday after it crashed into the fence along the designated track, according to Metro Bus Authority officials.

Authorities confirmed that all passengers on board were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Emergency teams reached the site shortly after the incident to secure the area and assess damage to the bus and track infrastructure.

Following the accident, the Azadi Chowk section of the Metro Bus Service has been temporarily closed, causing disruptions to routine commuter flow. As a result, Metro bus operations have been suspended between MAO College and Shahdara until repair work is completed and the track is declared safe.

The Metro Bus Authority said that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident and to prevent similar incidents in the future.