In a good news, Peshawar BRT ( Bus Rapid Transit System) has won an honorable mention in global Sustainable Transport Award 2022. According to a tweet by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Pakistan, the provincial city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) won the distinction “for improving mobility of residents, reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions.”
Congrats @TransPeshawar for #BRTPeshawar / #ZuPeshawar winning honourable mention in the 2022 global #SustainableTransportAward for improving mobility of residents, reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions. https://t.co/z47BVfbTY9 @CMKPUpdates #Peshawar pic.twitter.com/DvV7GLlF5O
— ADBPakistan (@PakistanADB) December 1, 2021
In a second tweet, ADB said that Peshawar will be one of the three cities in the world being recognized at a ceremony in Washington DC, USA on February 9th. “The award is for city’s new state of the art gender and environment friendly bus rapid transport system,” ADB added.
Congrats @TransPeshawar for #BRTPeshawar / #ZuPeshawar winning honourable mention in the 2022 global #SustainableTransportAward for improving mobility of residents, reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions. https://t.co/z47BVfbTY9 @CMKPUpdates #Peshawar pic.twitter.com/DvV7GLlF5O
— ADBPakistan (@PakistanADB) December 1, 2021
Along with Peshawar, Colombia capital Bogota and Estonia’s city Tartu have also won this award.
Celebrating the occasion, Senator of ruling party PTI, Faisal Javed Khan said that these “three shortlisted cities are transforming streets, prioritizing sustainability and expanding access & mobility for all residents.”
#Peshawar nominated among 3 cities in the world for SustainableTransportAwards. According to #mobilize,@ITDP & #STACommittee,3 shortlisted cities are transforming streets,prioritizing sustainability & expanding access & mobility for all residents @PakistanADB@TUMInitiative @ITDP
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) February 2, 2022
Quoting ADB, Khan further said these nominated cities have proven that remarkable things are possible with strong political will, public support and participation, dogged implementation, and great vision.
It further says despite Covid challenges changing every facet of life, including residents’ mobility. These nominatined cities have proven that remarkable things are possible with strong political will, public support and participation, dogged implementation, and great vision.
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) February 2, 2022
Peshawar BRT Inauguration
This is a great news for Peshawar BRT, which was inaugurated in August 2020. Before its launch, the project faced continues delays due to technical reasons. The construction company demolished and reconstructed a number of sections of this mega project.
The project faced multiple issues even after launch when BRT buses started catching fire. However, the provincial government tackled those issues and made it completely functional. Since then, BRT has been running smoothly and now this recognition will surely be a boost for it.
The transit system is a great facility for the masses as they can commute to one part of the city to another smoothly. Furthermore, it is a safe service for the females as they can travel in it without any issue.
What do you think about this recognition to BRT? Do you think it will further enhance importance of transit systems in the country? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
I agree author, it really is a feat that one must use as a cue to commend the K.P.K. government. Especially when we recall the kind of ridicule they faced when the project was delayed.