KARACHI: The Sindh government on Tuesday admitted that growing cost of construction material, rising inflation and fast depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar had increased the cost of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project being funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the same reasons were causing delays in completion of the mega public-sector transport scheme.

The disclosure came from the top when Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon replied in the affirmative when asked about any increase in the cost of the project and also about possibility of its delay in completion.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the under-construction underpass near the Numaish traffic intersection that would connect multiple routes under the mass transit scheme, the minister, however, said that the project was not facing any hurdles due to such impacts.

“Yes, there are certain delays in the projects which are directly linked with inflation, which has subsequently increased the cost of project,” he said while replying to a question.

Admits rupee depreciation, increased cost of construction material hit completion timeline

“Similarly, as we all know this is a huge project which requires several institutions and massive construction activity. One of them is relocation of different utilities and their infrastructure which is a very delicate job. This requires both time and capital, which most of the time leads to additional delays,” he said.

With total estimated cost of $503.5 million and co-financed by the ADB, AFD, GCF and AIIB, the 26-kilometre Red Line would ferry people on dedicated tracks from Model Colony to the Numaish intersection via University Road.

The Sindh minister said that the Numaish underpass would serve as a connecting point between BRT Green and BRT Red Lines. “This [BRT Red Line] projects is huge one and that’s why sometime it faces different complications and delay but let me tell you that this project aims to provide transportation facilities for the next 60 to 70 years. Taking into account the Karachi’s population, it is the best project for the city,” said Mr Memon.

When asked about the prospect for another BRT scheme — Yellow Line — he said the tender process for the project would be expedited after the recent support and interest shown by the World Bank.

Planned to start from Dawood Chowrangi in Korangi Industrial Area via Jam Sadiq Bridge, Main Korangi Road, FTC Interchange, Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-i-Quaideen, Kashmir Road Interchange and integrating into BRT Red Line at Numaish Chowrangi, the over US $300 million Yellow Line project would be built with the World Bank financing.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2023