Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday (April 25) decided to engage only government firms to collect solid waste along the route of the newly inaugurated Orange Line Metro Bus Service, the news sources reported.
Initially, Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) and Lahore Waste Management Company were the top contenders for the contract. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Amir Ali Ahmad in the CDA secretariat. The meeting decided that the contract award would be made under section 42 (F) of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), allowing only state-owned companies to bid for a specific project.
Moreover, the meeting also cancelled the establishment of convenience stores and restaurants along the Orange Line route, deeming it a violation of the Right of Way (ROW) clause of the Islamabad Master Plan. It was determined that allowing such activities on the station would increase similar requests from other businesses to establish businesses along other roads such as G.T. Road (Peshawar), Islamabad Highway, Srinagar Highway, Park Lehtrar Road and I.J.P. Road. This would eventually become overwhelming for the authority to deal with. However, 14 fuel stations will be established along the route.
Orange Line Metro Bus Service was inaugurated last week by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif. The bus service will operate between Peshawar Mor to Islamabad International Airport (IIAP). The Orange Line was merged with the Islamabad Metro bus service at Faiz Ahmad Faiz Station near HEC Secretariat to provide better connectivity.
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