RAWALPINDI: The first batch of seventeen metro buses from Turkey arrived in the city to be plied on the multi billion rupees metro project between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The remaining buses are expected to reach ahead of the formal inauguration of the project, which is being delayed due to slow construction by the contractors for different reasons.
The Metro project which was to be completed by 31st December, 2014 was delayed till 31st January under the pretext that contractors could not carry out the work at desired pace due to sit ins by PTI and PAT.
The people traveling between the twin cities have pinned lot of hopes from the metro buses as their fares would be much cheaper and minimum time would be consumed in travel but they are irked by the continuing delay, also. An estimated two hundred thousand people would travel daily through the metro buses.
Experts however are of the opinion that there is need for integrated road networks to increase the rider ship of the metro bus project.
They said there should be feeder routes to enhance the utility of the project. They were of the opinion that it would be appropriate to start new routes from Chuhr Chowk to 9th Avenue to afford the people living along the IJP road to catch the metro bus near the double road crossing till the metro bus project is extended from 9th avenue to Chuhr chowk.
They said for the last about a year they have been facing difficulties in travelling between the twin cities due to the project as it is taking them around two and a half hours for one way travel between Saddar and Blue Ara Islamabad. They requested the Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to make an urgent visit to the site as only he can ensure its timely completion by strong warning to the contractors.
First batch of metro buses arrives
FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS LACK TRANSPORT FACILITIES
Islamabad—Almost all the federal educational institutions lack proper transport facilities to fulfill the needs of their students. Only 30 out of 422 institutions of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) have less than 100 buses.
A large number of students sitting on rooftops or stuffed inside private buses is a common sight both in the morning and after school hours. Some of them travel while hanging along doors put their lives at risk. Shazia, a student at Islamabad Model Postgraduate College F-7/2, said she could not remember a day since taking admission that when she travelled to or from the college sitting on seat as the bus was always overcrowded.
“Sometimes as many as 80 students are crowded in the bus having capacity of 50 seats,” she added. A significant number of the college buses are old, worn out and defective with faulty brakes, bald tyres, dysfunctional rear brake lights and warning lights putting the lives of students at stake. Imran, a student of H-8 College said, “My college bus has broken seats and damaged roof which leaks when it rains. Travelling during rain becomes a nightmare. I have to spend first hour in college recuperating from the bus ride and another hour at home after return journey.”
A bus driver of H-8 College said, “There are four buses in this college, two of them are very old (1972 model). There are no spare parts in the store and even the ones procured are not of good quality.” Professor Mehmood Ali Khokher of H-8 College said the college despite being postgraduate, had only four old buses.—APP
Pakistan to get Japanese technology of auto parts manufacturing
ISLAMABAD: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under “The Project for
Technical Support to Auto Parts Manufacturing Industry” has agreed with Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) for a technical assistance for
enhancement of auto parts manufacturing industry in Pakistan.
The agreement was signed here Thursday between Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki, Chief Representative of JICA
and Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry, CEO of SMEDA, Mukhtar Ahmad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of
Industries and Production, and Syed Mujtaba Hussain, Joint Secretary, Economic Affairs Division (EAD).
The Project is aimed to improve the quality and productivity of auto parts through the technical support
by Japanese experts, which leads to the competitiveness of auto parts suppliers, will be strengthened, a
statement of JICA issued here said.
The duration of the Project is expected four (4) years from April 2015, and target areas are Lahore and
Karachi. Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) is also
involved as an important partner of the Project.
Auto sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Pakistan and it contributes towards the nation’s
economy in the form of technology transfer, employment and revenue generation.
Local vendors deem to play an important role in the growth of auto industry as they bear the
responsibility of producing auto parts and sub-assemblies according to the bench mark set by the
respective Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
On the other hand, local auto parts manufacturing industry is still in the process of development in terms
of competitiveness, quality, cost and flexibility of manufacturing procedures.
Pakistan has not been able to derive maximum benefits in terms of technical know-how, production
technology and quality control in order to upgrade the vendor base of auto sector.
For the foregoing reason, SMEDA requested Government of Japan for initiating a long term technical
support of Japanese way of improving productivity and quality.
SMEDA aims to broaden the scope of productivity improvement activities across the value chain of auto
sector in the development of the vendor base across the country.
Mr. Kawasaki while commenting on the significance of the project said, “I am very confident that this new
project will support to achieve higher results in auto part industry by ensuring implementation of the plan
of actions, efficient use of existing resources and building trustful services delivery”.
Source: APP
Further cut in petrol prices from February 1
Further cut in petrol prices from February 1
The government is likely to reduce prices of the major petrol products in the range of Rs5.5 to Rs11 per litre from February 1, it is learnt.
According to officials privy to the developments, the price of HOBC is expected to go down by Rs11 per litre, petrol by Rs8.75 per litre, High Speed Diesel by Rs8 per litre, Light Diesel by Rs7.50 per litre and kerosene oil by Rs5.5 per litre.
The Ogra on January 30 will send a summary to the PM after calculating prices of the imported oil and it is expected that the price of major oil products may further decline as at least three ships by the end of the current month are due to reach Karachi port. “Keeping in view current trends it is expected that the prices of the major oil products may reduce by Rs5.5 to Rs11 per litre”, the official said.
Pakistan students participate in Eco Marathon
The 30th Eco Marathon held by Shell will be taking place in Manila, Philippines, this year. The basic concept of the Shell Eco Marathon is to challenge student teams from all over the world to come up with a car that can give maximum mileage in one liter or one gallon of fuel. The word ECO makes it quite clear that student teams have to come up with and design, build, and test ultra-energy-efficient vehicles. The current world record of the Shell Eco Marathon is 315.4 km/liter.
Shell Pakistan helps its Pakistani talent to showcase their work (model cars) in the Shell Eco Marathon which is held in different countries. Shell Pakistan takes all the responsibility of the teams from Pakistan in terms of travel and participation in the Eco Marathon. It makes Pakistanis feel a bit patriotic that their country is also part of such a great marathon which focuses on eco-friendly cars.
Student teams from Pakistan participating in Shell Eco Marathon are:
Karachi PNEC-NUST-URBAN, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Karachi
Karachi PNEC-NUST-PROTOTYPE, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Karachi
Sahiwal ARMZSTAR COMSATS, Institute of Information Technology, Sahiwal
Faisalabad Team Mechanergy NFC, Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad
Topi HammerHead ARC, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology
Wah WEC-UW-Urban, Wah Engineering College
Rawalpindi NUSTAG, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Rawalpindi
Taxila Team PIEAS, Pakistan Institue Of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad
Taxila innova, Pakistan Institue Of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad
Islamabad AIRIANZ, Air University, Islamabad
Islamabad Mech The Tech, Air University, Islamabad
Islamabad Team Sterling – NUST
Focus on Design:
The main areas on which teams have to focus is not just the engine with best fuel mileage but also aerodynamics, meaning less drag due to road friction, and also taking care of the size of the wheels and total weight of the car.
Focus on Engine:
In this competition, teams also have to take care of the engine type, which likely means they focus on using a more compact engine with a higher compression ratio which means less engine weight with maximum power.
Focus on Transmission:
Student teams taking part in the Shell Eco Marathon prefer using rear-engine, rear-wheel drive which actually gives more traction due to more weight on the driving wheels.
Facts about the Shell Marathon:
- The Shell Eco Marathon is a global initiative taken by Shell to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by transportation.
- Automobiles alone make up 13% of the total greenhouse gas emissions.
- The competition enters Asia for the sixth year, marking the 30th anniversary of the Global Shell Eco Marathon
- 158 student teams from 19 countries of Asia and the Middle East will hit the track in Manila this year.
- The Shell Eco Marathon is being held at Luneta Park in Manila, Philippines, this year.
- This is the second time the Shell Eco Marathon is being held in Manila, Philippines.
- The circuit track in Manila requires extremely agile “driver skill” to maneuver the vehicle across the 4 tight bends of the track.
- The two categories through which teams can participate in the event are Prototype and Urban Concept categories.
- The winners and runners up will receive prize money ranging from $2,000 and $1,000 respectively in both categories.
- Six Off-Track Awards will also be given out to deserving teams.
- The categories for Off-Track Awards are Communications, Vehicle Design, Technical Innovation, Safety, Perseverance, and Spirit of the Event, as well as the Shell Helix Tribology Award.
Yamaha motor cycle plant to be inaugurated in Pakistan
TOKYO – Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar held a meeting with a high level delegation of Yamaha Motor Corporation here.
The delegation was led by Motorcycle Business Operations, Senior Executive Officer Katsuaki Watanabe. The finance minister welcomed the decision of Yamaha Motors to start business in Pakistan, taking advantage of the new-entrant policy of the government. He informed the delegation that Pakistan offered excellent business and investment opportunities with low labour costs, geographical proximity to the Middle East and Central Asian Republics and South Asia as well as incentives for foreign investors.
He wished the Yamaha delegation the best in its business endeavours in Pakistan and assured that any issues faced by them would be resolved soon. He asked the Yamaha delegation to further market Pakistan by spreading the word about Pakistan’s investment conditions amongst other Japanese companies. The Yamaha delegation briefed the finance minister about the progress of work on its motor cycle manufacturing plant.
Dar was informed that the plant would produce 31,000 units in the first year with a localisation of 25 per cent. He was further informed that Yamaha would achieve 55 per cent localisation in three years and 85 per cent in five years. Yamaha delegation stated that the delegation would bring new value to Pakistani market and increase the competitiveness of its industry. Yamaha would initially focus on the domestic Pakistani market and target exports at a later stage.
It was decided that the inauguration of the Yamaha motor cycle manufacturing plant would take place in April this and that Yamaha president would visit Pakistan on the occasion. The meeting was also attended by the Board of Investment chairman, the Pakistan ambassador in Tokyo and other senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and Pakistan Embassy.
Source: Daily Times
DICE AUTOMOTIVE 2014 IN PAKISTAN
DICE Foundation is a non-profit organization, registered in Michigan, USA. The term DICE stands for Distinguished Innovations, Collaboration and Entrepreneurship. The main objective of DICE Foundation is to foster innovation culture in the Society. NUST School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME) and DICE Foundation jointly launched DICE Automotive event which will be held annually in SMME at NUST Main Campus, H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan.
DICE Automotive is an Exhibition, Symposium and Competition that aimed to bring together the academia and Industry. Its primary objective was to act as a pragmatic and focused platform for automotive related innovations and for collaboration among academia, industry, government, entrepreneurs and expatriate community on all matters pertaining to the growth of automotive sector in Pakistan. The event also focused on mobilizing expatriate community to take advantage of their expertise and experiences for the benefit of auto industry in Pakistan; and also to act as a Think Tank to recommend automotive related strategies.
Participation in the event was open to all industry and research organization with their products / projects and innovations. Student teams working on any Automotive related research/Innovations, from any HEC recognized degree awarding university/institute were also encouraged to participate by showcasing their projects. To encourage participation the cash prizes of Rs 100,000/, Rs 60,000/ and Rs 40,000/ were offered to competitors.
DICE Automotive 2014 formally started with the recitation from the Holy Quran and was followed by a welcome address by the Principal SMME, Dr. Abdul Ghafoor who highlighted the importance of technological advancement and industrial growth in today’s day and age.
The event continued its course with interesting talks by the Chairman of DICE Foundation Dr Khurshid Qureshi and the Chief Guest Mr Zibber Mohiuddin – CEO of Panasian Group. The inauguration was followed by the evaluation of all 34 projects that were all innovative and ground-breaking. Moreover, many industries like SPEL, Infinity Engineering, Trojan Pakistan, Zic Oil, International Polymer Industry, Renewable Star set up their stalls along with Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM). The event had a vast turn out with students from all over NUST attending in large numbers and taking an enthusiastic interest in the various projects being presented. Said students then actively participated in the panel discussion that focused on universities involvement in the development of our auto Industry.
After a short break, the results were announced and the prizes were distributed to the most deserving projects, though the judges disclosed that the decision was indeed a tough one. The chief guest for the closing ceremony Mr Imtiaz Rastgar – CEO of Rastgar Engineering Company, expressed his views in the expansion of the automotive industry in Pakistan which was followed by a closing address by Rector NUST, Engr. Mohammad Asghar who congratulated Principal SMME, Vice Principal SMME – Engr Mohammad Sohail and Chief Organizer – Dr Shahid Ikramullah for their efforts thus bringing this event to an end.
DICE Automotive 2014 was an endeavor that truly explored how devastating a progressive stock-still can be for Pakistan and will act as a pioneering step for similar events in the future.
CNG Schedule from 5 Jan to 11 Jan 2015
CNG Schedule from 5 Jan to 11 Jan 2015
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| 05-01-15 | 06-01-15 | 07-01-15 | 08-01-15 | 09-01-15 | 10-01-15 | 11-01-15 |
| OPEN 8:00 am |
CLOSE 8:00 am |
OPEN 8:00 am |
CLOSE 8:00 am |
OPEN 8:00 am |
CLOSE 8:00 am |
OPEN 8:00 am |
