BRT likely to start in October
Electric Bus/File
The authorities gave a new deadline of October 2021 for the operationalization of the long-delayed Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System according to a statement issued on Friday.
The ground-breaking ceremony of the project was performed by the then premier in 2016. The mass transit project stretching from Nagin Chowrangi to Numaish Chowrangi and from there onward to Jamia Cloth Market was planned in 2012 as part of Karachi Transportation Improvement Project (KTIP, 2030).
Presiding over a meeting of Provincial Coordination and Implementation Committee (PCIC), at the CM's House, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the provincial transport department to complete work on the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) Green Line by August and make it operational by October.
He also directed the authorities concerned to expedite work on the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).
Officials told the meeting that infrastructure of Green Line till Numaish Chowrangi would be completed by this August 30, and buses would reach here from China by August 10 while the project would start operation by October 10.
The CM suggested constructing a box drainage channel below the crossing of Green Line at three locations that are Nagin Chowrangi and at two spots of Hyderi Markets, at the cost of Rs400 million, for smooth discharge of rainwater.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Nasir Shah, Avais Qadir Shah, Law Advisor Murtaza Wahab, Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum and Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah.
KCR
The transport department told the meeting that the Pakistan Army's Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) had conducted a survey for detailed design, and estimated cost for flyovers and underpasses along the KCR route. According to the project concept (PC-1), three elevated structures would be constructed in phase one of the project at a cost of Rs4.9 billion. In phase two, elevated structures, over an area of 6.4km, would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs11.508 billion.
The chief minister said that he had committed to provide Rs6 billion which would be allotted by his government as per the timeline of the railway authorities. KCR Project Director Ameer Daudpota told the meeting that there were some issues which needed to be resolved before starting the work.
BRT Orange Line
The meeting was told that the Sindh government project Orange Line was 3.8km, including four stations and one bus terminal. The infrastructure of the project would be completed by the end of next month.
The Sindh transport department has released Rs2.120 billion to SIDCL for procurement of 20 buses and over Rs587 million for operationalisation of the BRT. The buses will reach from China in December 2021.
Red Line
The meeting was told that the BRT Red Line was Pakistan's first mass transit system with zero carbon emission due to the biogas component. A state-of-art biogas plant would be installed near the city's biggest source of dung, the Cattle Colony. All its 912 vehicles would operate in direct feeder and trunk routes to travel along the corridor..
The meeting was told that the supervision consultant of the project has been selected. The civil contractor was being finalised and then a financial bid opening would be made.
The meeting was told that the Malir Halt and Masumiyat depots were being used by Pakistan Rangers and they were assured that they would vacate them when work would start. The chief minister directed the chief secretary to provide alternate space to the Rangers so that they could continue their operational work smoothly.
Yellow Line
The Yellow Line is another provincial government project of Rs61.436 billion in which World Bank's share is Rs53.540 billion, while the Sindh government will provide Rs2.654 billion and the private sector will lend Rs5.250 billion. It would be developed primarily along Korangi and its industrial road, connecting the city's South-eastern suburbs, South and Central districts.
It is a 21-km project starting from Dawood Chowrangi to Numaish. There would be two flyovers, nine underpasses, one U-turn with 28 stations. Its route would have a 42-km motorbike track on both sides. Its ridership would be 300,000 per day. As many as 268 diesel hybrid buses would run on the route. The meeting was told that the contract was being finalised in consultation with the World Bank just after Eid.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2021.