KARACHI: Just a day after Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab called the delay in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line “a source of embarrassment for the government”, the transport authorities on Thursday also admitted “challenges” in completion of the 26-kilometre public transport structure.

However, they vowed that “any further delay in the progress of the project cannot be afforded”.

The fresh thoughts emerged at a meeting presided over by Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon to review the progress on the Red Line project where he came up with directives to his team and asked them to complete the task within the given deadline.

He admitted that there were challenges to complete the huge public transport project, but they could not be accepted as excuses to delay the scheme.

Sharjeel orders TransKarachi to complete BRT project within deadline

“During the meeting, international consultants presented recommendations as to how some of the works should be done to meet international standards and resolve ongoing challenges,” said a statement issued after the meeting.

“Mr Memon, during the meeting, asked the transport department to remain in close contact with the utility service providers. He said coordinated efforts must be made regarding the resolution of issues like utility transfers and expedite construction. He said that BRT Red Line is a game changer for Karachi commuters, and any further delay in the progress cannot be afforded.”

On Wednesday, Mayor Murtaza Wahab had expressed his serious concerns over delays in the completion of the Red Line BRT.

The city mayor, who’s also a spokesman for the Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the Sindh government, went on calling the project “a source of embarrassment” for the provincial government.

The mayor, who’s also the chairman of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), was apparently furious due to the recent water crisis which hit the city after a leakage had developed in the main line crossing the alignment of the Red Line BRT project on University Road near Karachi University a couple of weeks ago.

The KWSC, in a strong reaction, had written a letter to TransKarachi, the company responsible for BRT Red Line project, and asked it to deposit Rs35 million in favour of the water utility as expenses incurred during the repairs.

“I have repeatedly raised this concern in meetings with government members and the board. Some two years ago, a NOC [No Objection Certificate] was granted, which required collaboration with the water board before taking any action,” said the mayor.

Meanwhile at a meeting of the transport department, Mr Memon discussed issues pertaining to progress on construction of bus deports and terminals, utilities shifting and other allied works. The meeting was attended by transport secretary Asad Zamin, CEO of TransKarachi Tarique Manzoor Chandio, international consultants and others.

The work done so far was explained to the participants by the TransKarachi CEO.

The minister said that the Red Line BRT is among the major initiatives concerning infrastructural development in Karachi and that the challenges were addressed to complete the project as per timeline.

“The Sindh government is committed to a modern, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation system for Karachi people,” said Mr Memon.

“This track of the Red Line BRT stretches along 26 kilometres, supposed to be the backbone for the mass transit in Karachi as a whole. The potential capacity of the Red Line BRT has the ability to carry thousands of passengers each day, hence reducing traffic on the roads.”

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2024