The Chief Minister of Sindh expressed commitment to the rapid completion of the Karachi BRT Red Line project and recognized the difficulties faced by citizens due to the ongoing construction.
In response to inquiries, he highlighted that measures are being taken to accelerate the project and clear current obstacles. The BRT Karachi project will include two corridors, running from Military Halt Depot to the Meteorological Department and Numaish Chowrangi.
The project, supported by the Asian Development Bank with a budget of Rs 79 billion, started two years ago and is aiming for completion by 2025. Initially, contractors completed 5% of the work but paused due to land shortages, rising costs, design delays, and insufficient cooperation from the Sindh government.
Recently, the Trans Karachi Board approved a 30% increase in project costs due to inflation and rising materials costs, bringing the total estimated expense to Rs 103 billion. Dr. Sarosh Lodi, Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering & Technology and Chairman of the Trans Board Karachi, mentioned that several hurdles have been overcome.
He indicated that work on the project might resume in a month or more, though sources from the Trans Board Karachi suggested a three to four-month delay. The return of contractors’ workers, who are currently away for Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, is expected after Eid-ul-Adha.
Dr. Sarosh Lodi also confirmed that the Asian Development Bank has authorized the project’s continuation. One major delay involved the Rangers’ refusal to provide land in Malir Halt for bus depot construction due to security concerns at Karachi Airport. With an alternative site now identified on Rashid Minhas Road, previously home to Aladdin Park, the bus depot construction is set to proceed.
It was reported that the Sindh government has not yet awarded the contract for constructing the biogas plant. However, an official noted that a major contractor’s demand had been met, signalling a nearing project restart.
