KARACHI: The inadequate transport system in Karachi is causing significant economic losses, according to Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor. He expressed concern over the situation, noting that poor public transport is resulting in daily losses of over half a billion rupees for the city. This issue impacts industrial productivity, port operations, and household incomes.
The economic loss is attributed to traffic congestion, wasted fuel, and lost labor hours. Shakoor highlighted that millions of workers spend hours in traffic, which affects output and increases stress and health-related costs. He pointed out that global cities have prospered through robust transport systems, citing examples like London, Tokyo, and New York, which have benefited from efficient commuting solutions.
Shakoor criticized Karachi’s disconnected growth from transport planning. The collapse of the Karachi Circular Railway, closure of the Karachi Transport Corporation, and a rise in private vehicles have led to severe congestion and pollution. He emphasized that poor connectivity hinders labor mobility, delays cargo, and discourages investment.
The PDP Chairman also addressed the social impacts of the transport failure, noting that women, students, and low-income workers face challenges due to unsafe travel conditions. He stressed the need for Karachi to expand its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, revive the Circular Railway, and improve infrastructure to prevent further economic losses.
Shakoor called on the federal government to support the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway under the CPEC Phase 2 and urged the Sindh government to expedite the completion of the Red Line and Green Line BRT projects. He emphasized that investing in Karachi’s transport system would substantially benefit the national economy.