Shallwani optimistic about fixing city’s transport woes

Claims some BRT projects will be operational in early 2021; KCR to be on the move soon too

KARACHI:

Voicing optimism about resolving the longstanding transportation woes of the metropolis' residents, Karachi Administrator Iftikhar Shallwani claimed projects such as the Red Line, Green Line, Orange Line and Brown Line bus rapid transit (BRT) schemes were nearing completion.

Addressing a webinar hosted by the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations on Friday, he stated that some of the BRT projects would be set in motion by early 2021, while others required more time to complete.

According to Shallwani, Turkey had also proposed to help set up a tram service from Metropole to Tower via Gymkhana. He added that the project would be completed keeping in view modern transportation needs.

Moreover, he said, a portion of the Karachi Circular Railway would be on the move soon, though the project would take longer to become operational in its entirety.

"Karachi has huge potential as a tourist hotspot. Several roads of the city even resemble the old city centres in Italy and Spain," he asserted, as he expressed his desire to turn the metropolis into a walkable city. "But at present, many areas do not even have footpaths. When tourists arrive, they try to walk around, but can't."

Turning to the city's water scarcity issues, the administrator said improving water supply to the citizens was among his top priorities. However, he went on to say, many agencies, including the Defence Housing Authority, cantonment boards, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and others, were involved in the process before the water could reach the end-user.

Further, he termed the city's sewerage system 'a headache,' explaining that Karachi's infrastructure was quite old. However, he claimed that several projects had been initiated to improve the sanitation system.

"The provincial capital is like a mini-Pakistan. As its population increases, so do its problems," said Shallwani, adding that there was never a dull moment in administering such a large city.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2020.