KARACHI: Snail-paced work on the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is causing daily traffic jams along Main University Road, affecting hundreds of thousands of commuters, according to Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP).
Shakoor highlighted that the project, funded by a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, was initially set for completion by December 31, 2025. However, the completion date has been pushed to December 2026, and Shakoor expressed concerns that it could be delayed further due to the sluggish pace of progress. He criticized the government for habitually delaying development projects, which he claims leads to increased costs and potential kickbacks.
He drew a comparison between Karachi and Lahore, noting that while Lahore is advancing towards a modern commuting system, Karachi lags behind with its public transport sector in disarray. Both the road and rail systems in Karachi suffer from neglect and corruption, according to Shakoor.
Emphasizing the need for modern urban transport systems, Shakoor pointed out that Karachi lacks even a functional surface rail system, despite deserving an underground network. He accused the Sindh government of prioritizing the issue low, while only offering statements rather than tangible progress. He urged the Sindh chief minister to personally inspect the Red Line BRT project and expedite its completion.
Shakoor also mentioned the Green Line BRT, which has been handed over to the Sindh government but remains incomplete, with its extension to Tower unrealized. He advocated for the commencement of the second phase of the Green Line BRT, suggesting an extension to Keamari and interlinking it with the Red Line to facilitate commuters.
Highlighting further issues, Shakoor noted that nearly 200 CNG buses, previously imported, remain unused and deteriorating. He called for their repair and deployment, citing the financial scandal of discarding these buses so soon after their acquisition. Shakoor urged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and provincial ombudsman to investigate the matter.
Shakoor concluded by appealing to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon to address the slow progress on the Red Line BRT to alleviate the ongoing commuter difficulties in Karachi.