The mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, criticized prolonged delays in the completion of mass transport projects of the green line and the red line, warning that to the current rhythm, these initiatives cannot be completed even by 2035.
The red line, launched in March 2022, was originally estimated to be completed within 30 months. However, after three years, the 26 -kilometer project is far from the completion.
Cofinanced by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the French Development Agency and the Green Climate Fund, the Red Line is designed to transport passengers on a Track dedicated between the Model Colony and the Numant intersection through University Road. The initial estimated cost of the project was $ 493.5 million.
In statements to the media in Karachi on Friday, Wahab asked the Limited Public Infrastructure Development Company (PIDCL) to provide a clear timeline for the completion of both projects.
“The development work in the city must be administered locally. When the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation received a request from Pidcl, it replied requesting a definitive timeline for the completion of the project. Using a 2017 non -objection certificate in 2025 is simply unacceptable; at this rate, the project could not even be completed in 2035.”
Highlighting the challenges in progress, the mayor said: “We face serious problems on the Route of the Green Line near Nagan Chowrangi and Kda Chowrangi. Now, citizens are experiencing similar difficulties throughout University Road due to the red line project.”
Wahab emphasized the urgent need to address damaged roads, broken paths and incomplete civil works that have seriously affected daily life in the city. He said that Karachi residents continue to face difficulties due to administrative delays and poor coordination.
He urged the local leadership to be taken on board in all phases of construction and development, while reaffirming KMC’s commitment to safeguard the interests of citizens and ensure that no development project has cost of the city’s infrastructure or the public’s convenience.
