Good Governance, Planning and Implementation of Mega Projects
The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Counsel) discussed good governance with reference to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT project), its planning and implementation.
The guest on the show, Mr. Khalid Ayub, a social activist, said that BRT is the most costly and controversial project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is a fact that Peshawar needs a major traffic project to fix traffic issues but is BRT the only solution? Besides its heavy cost, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) government promised to complete it within six months but even after one and a half year this seems unlikely. Mr. Khalid Ayub alleged that the public was not taken on board and the traders and businessmen have suffered huge losses.
Mr. Mian Mohammad Shakeel, Director Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) for BRT, shared that pre-feasibility and feasibility were considered before the project was started. It was realized that it was a much needed project for Peshawar. Transport is a big problem here and it was the right of our people to have such a transport system that people may travel with ease.
The report by Mr. Abdul Razaq shared the statistics that BRT includes a 26-kilometre road from Chamkani to Hayatabad with 31 bus stations. This project has three phases and the first phase is still under progress. Almost 20 changes were introduced within a year which wasted public money.
The report by Mr. Inamullah highlighted the key points of good governance and how public participation can have a positive impact on governance in a democratic system.
Mr. Syed Safi Pirzada, an officer in a civil organization, said that in a civilized society good governance means the voice of the public.
Five calls were received during the show.
About Sabawoon:
Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications programme, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion.
The show airs Tuesday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 kHz from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM.
On Tuesday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with input from government and other senior officials. Jawandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for youth, and students. Socio-cultural affairs and issues of women are discussed in Ranra on Thursday.