KARACHI:
University road is one of Karachi’s busiest arteries connecting major educational institutions, hospitals and commercial centers. Yet, what should have been a transformative public transport project has, over the past four years, become an enduring symbol of administrative inefficiency and broken promises.
Although the Red Line BRT project was announced in 2017, large-scale excavation and road closures that brought commuters’ lives to a standstill began in March 2022. Since then, one deadline after another has been missed. Utility relocations and contractual disputes repeatedly stalled the project, with the original contractors leaving behind a trail of unfinished work. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that the provincial government had little option but to terminate the contract, entrusting the Frontier Works Organization with reconstructing the badly damaged sections of the road on an emergency basis. That the project has reached this stage despite the passage of years raises serious questions about planning and accountability. Trans Karachi, the public-sector company established by the Government of Sindh to execute the project, was expected to deliver a modern transport system. Instead, commuters have endured endless diversions and avoidable economic losses. Businesses along the corridor have suffered, ambulances continue to struggle through bottlenecks and students travelling to universities have paid the price for delays they did nothing to create.
The people of Karachi deserve transparency regarding project costs and revised timelines. Those whose negligence wasted public funds should also be held accountable. The provincial government must establish strict third-party monitoring and publish monthly progress reports that are publicly available. Karachi has waited long enough. The city deserves roads that are built, not merely dug up.
Riaz Mahar
Sukkur
