In a significant stride towards restoring essential transit services, reconstruction efforts at the Sixth Road Metro Bus Station are well underway, with an anticipated completion date of January 10. Secretary of Transport Ahmed Javed Qazi recently affirmed the progress during an inspection, expressing satisfaction with the rehabilitation pace and assuring commuters of a fully operational station soon.
The Sixth Road Metro Bus Station, a casualty of PTI protesters’ actions on May 9, faced substantial damage estimated at Rs99 million. Unlike other affected stations along the Rawalpindi-Islamabad route—Faizabad, Shamsabad, and Committee Chowk, which sustained partial damage—the Sixth Road station has been non-functional for seven months.
Highlighting the impact of the station’s closure, over 100,000 daily passengers were inconvenienced, forced to divert to alternative stations such as Rehmanabad and Shamsabad. The prolonged disruption emphasized the critical role the Sixth Road station plays in facilitating seamless travel for the community.
During the inspection, Ahmed Javed Qazi not only commended the ongoing efforts but also shared the plan for the second phase of reconstruction. RDA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa revealed that the repair work for Faizabad, Shamsabad, and Committee Chowk stations is scheduled for December, with an allocated budget of Rs34 million.
As the Sixth Road Metro Bus Station nears its reopening date, the community eagerly anticipates the revival of normalcy in transit services. The reconstruction not only addresses the physical damages but also signifies a broader commitment to maintaining a robust and efficient public transportation network in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
