CM Murad informs the delegation that all hurdles in the project have been removed and now the work will be expedited
The Sindh High Court is hearing a petition regarding award of contract for construction of University Road to an unqualified private contractor. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
The ADB and the Sindh government reviewed ongoing development projects in Sindh with the support of the Asian Development Bank, including the Red Line BRT, urban transport schemes, infrastructure initiatives and climate resilience projects.
ADB National Director Emma Fan met the Prime Minister at the Chief Minister House, accompanied by her delegation. Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon briefed the delegation on the resolution of the issues affecting the Red Line project.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the ADB-supported projects were encouraging for the people of Sindh, describing the bank as a long-standing and reliable development partner of the provincial government. He reaffirmed that the Sindh government would continue sustainable initiatives in transportation, water supply, climate protection and infrastructure, highlighting that timely completion of projects remained the government’s top priority.
He assured the ADB delegation that all obstacles in the Red Line project had been removed and work would now be expedited.
The foundation stone of phases one and two of the BRT project, which includes bus procurement and civil works, was laid in August 2022 and was expected to be completed in 2024. However, this completion schedule has now been extended to 2026.
The construction of the BRT line has been mired in controversy and criticism as it has resulted in the closure of one of Karachi’s main arteries, University Road. The closure has severely affected traffic from Gulshan-e-Iqbal towards Saddar. Vehicles are being diverted towards Shahrah-e-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road via Aladdin Park and Liaquatabad Road, causing heavy congestion. Similarly, traffic from Shahrah-e-Faisal towards Central District and Gulshan-e-Iqbal now uses Stadium Road, leading to frequent traffic jams.
BRT Rede Line is a multi-billion dollar project, priced at $503.3 million, of which the Asian Development Bank will contribute $235 million, the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank will contribute $71.81 million, the French Development Agency $71.81 million, while the Green Climate Fund will provide a grant of $11.8 million and $37.2 million in loans; while the Sindh government will cover the remaining $75.71 million.
Read: Karachi commuters face gridlock as University Road closed till year-end
The project involves 96- and 72-inch pipelines along the Red Line corridor, supplying an additional 260 million gallons of water per day to Karachi and connecting major K-IV filtration plants to the city’s existing network. The work is being carried out in phases along both lanes of University Road.
Residents have long endured overflowing drains, dust and narrow lanes along University Road, forcing commuters and students to navigate traffic and sewage to reach their destinations.
Opposition parties have criticized the Sindh government. Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi and Monem Zafar Khan called the city “a labyrinth of broken roads and failed projects,” while PTI leaders accused authorities of corruption and mismanagement.
Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon briefed the delegation on the resolution of the issues affecting the Red Line project.
Emma Fan has said that the ADB would continue its partnership on urban transport and development plans. He also confirmed that the ADB would provide additional financing to ensure the timely completion of ongoing projects. At the meeting it was agreed to reinforce security measures for the BRT line.
Read more: ADB and Sindh launch Rs 440 crore initiative
Progress at Karachi’s TP-4 wastewater treatment plant was reviewed. Murad Ali Shah termed TP-4 as a key project for Karachi and urged ADB to extend its support. The World Bank and ADB are working jointly with the Sindh government on the plan.
According to the update released by Abdul Rasheed Channa, media consultant at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat:
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The Coastal Development Project is in the final stages of approval and is expected to be approved soon.
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Six additional projects in Sindh worth $75 million are also advancing in the approval process.
Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon briefed the delegation on the resolution of the issues affecting the Red Line project.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Jam Khan Shoro, chief secretary Asif Haider Shah, P&D president Najam Shah, principal secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, transport secretary Asad Zamin and other officials. The ADB team included Deputy National Director Asad Aleem, Program Officer Khayyam Suhail Abbasi and Project Officers Hamid Khan and Adnan Ali.
