Karachi: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that work on the Orange Line BRT has been completed, while work on the Yellow Line BRT project is progressing rapidly with the support of the World Bank. One section of the Taj Haider Bridge has been completed, while work on the remaining section is underway. Construction of the Yellow Line BRT depots is also in progress, while development work on the Red Line BRT project continues with the support of the Asian Development Bank.
He said that modern bus terminals are being constructed in Thatta, Badin, Miro Khan, and Larkana during the current financial year, while projects in Thal, Karachi, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Kandiaro will be completed in the next financial year. Work on the parking plaza project in Hyderabad will also begin this year.
Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Red Line BRT project faced several challenges, including the appreciation of the dollar and an unprecedented increase in construction costs. He said that these factors affected both the private and public sectors, while some contractors refused to continue work despite additional payments. As a result, the contract of one contractor was cancelled and the responsibility was handed over to the FWO.
He said that major cities around the world are planned with future needs in mind, and the purpose of the BRT projects is to provide better travel facilities for future generations. According to him, the Sindh Chief Minister has issued clear instructions to provide maximum relief to the public, and all decisions are being taken in the public interest.
He said that, in the first phase, the People’s Bus Service was introduced in Larkana and Karachi, while funds for the purchase of buses were provided to the federal government. He added that EV buses were introduced under a public-private partnership model, and the government also provided subsidies to the private sector to encourage their operation.
He further said that a biogas plant will be established under the Red Line BRT project. Initially, it was proposed that hybrid buses would operate on the route, but it was later decided to introduce EV buses instead. The project is being completed with the support of the Asian Development Bank and international environmental funds, while the biogas produced can also be used in the industrial sector.
Sharjeel Memon said that the government will provide land for 500 EV buses, and the successful bidder will be allocated space to establish charging infrastructure. He added that the government will also provide land for depots wherever EV buses operate. According to him, when the Red Line project was launched in 2022, the contractor raised concerns regarding the unavailability of the right-of-way; however, such issues are common in a large city like Karachi.
He said that the Sindh government has spent billions of rupees on the relocation of utilities, and such projects often face difficulties in metropolitan cities. According to him, there was virtually no progress on the project during the nine months of the caretaker government.
He said that the issue of mixed traffic lanes on Jinnah Avenue in Lot One has been resolved, while work is underway on the augmentation of the K-4 project in Lot Two. He added that the Sindh government’s top priority is to provide better transport facilities to Karachi and other cities of the province.
He said that when the Orange Line was under the federal government, its daily ridership was only 2,000, which increased to 9,500 after the Sindh government took over management. Similarly, the daily ridership of the Green Line increased from 50,000 to 95,000. He added that the Green Line and Orange Line have now been integrated, and after the augmentation of both projects, total ridership is expected to exceed 100,000.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the People’s Bus Service is operating successfully in Hyderabad, and a new route from Latifabad to Haider Chowk will be launched before or immediately after Eid. He said that 29 routes have been completed so far, while work is underway on several more routes in Karachi. Recently, the Sukkur-Shikarpur, Khairpur to Rohri, and Khairpur to Ranipur routes were also launched. According to him, the government is trying to provide bus services on as many routes as possible.
He said that bus stops have been established at various locations, but buses stopping at unspecified places remains a major challenge. He added that the People’s Bus Service has been directed to stop buses only at designated stops, but staff sometimes face resistance and unrest from citizens. According to him, the government is purchasing more buses, while private investors are also being encouraged to invest in the sector.
He said that promoting public transport will reduce traffic congestion on roads, while the use of EV vehicles will also help reduce environmental pollution. Sharjeel Memon said that, after the launch of the People’s Bus Service, bus travel has become relatively more affordable for motorcycle users. He added that more double-decker buses are being brought to Karachi, while the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway was also discussed during a meeting with the Federal Minister for Railways. According to him, the foundation stone of the expressway project from Karachi Port to Taj Haider Bridge, Korangi, will be laid on May 22.
He further said that the government has established vehicle fitness centers for the first time, and dilapidated vehicles have been impounded to ensure better travel facilities for citizens. Responding to criticism of the Red Line project, he also criticized Jamaat-e-Islami and said that if the same level of attention given to publicity campaigns were devoted to local government affairs, the situation could improve.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that EV buses will operate on the Red Line, while energy generated from the biogas plant will be supplied to various sectors. He also accused several institutions, including K-Electric, of delaying the transfer of utilities, and said that the Sindh Chief Minister has called a meeting on the issue. According to him, many Transport Department projects are underway, but criticism is focused only on the Red Line project.
He said that EV buses have been introduced in Pakistan for the first time, and free pink scooters are also being provided to women. He apologized for the difficulties faced by the citizens of Karachi and said that the government is taking serious measures to address all challenges while ensuring transparency at every level.
