The Capital Development Authority CDA) on Saturday launched Margalla Tourist Train aimed at promoting touristic and economic activities in the Federal Capital.
Chairman of the Authority Imtiaz Inyat Elahi boarded the train
along with media persons and dignitaries on its first round to the
landmarks of Islamabad in order to formally inaugurate the service.
Talking to newsmen on the occasion, the Chairman CDA said the
Authority has set up a Tourism Division, which preparing different
packages for promotion of tourism in the capital territory.
He hoped that the launching of the train will have positive impact on the overall economy of the federal capital.
To a question he said the train has cost 36 million rupees; it will
run once a day and complete its route in two and a half hours. It will
run in close coordination with the traffic police and entertainment
programmes would also be presented at different places of its route.
The Chairman CDA said double-decker and public transport buses would also be introduced in the city within six months.
To another question he said the Park Enclave housing scheme has
evoked enthusiastic response and the CDA would soon launch a housing
scheme for low income groups as well.
The tourist train will daily start its journey from Rose and Jasmine
Garden with a speed of twenty to twenty-five kilometers per hour and
cover different landmarks of the city including Kashmir Highway,
National Monument, Zero Point, Faisal Mosque, Zoo, Japanese Park,
Saidpur Village, Jinnah Super Market, 7th Avenue and Fatima Jinnah Park
and reach back at Rose and Jasmine Garden on the stipulated time.
The ticket for adults is two hundred rupees and one hundred and
fifty rupees for children up to 10 years. There will be special
concession for the disabled. The CDA has offered fifty per cent
discount to the people for boarding the train during the first month. SANA
