Red Line turns into a pipe dream

Govt seals office of contractor, leaving long-delayed transport project mired in uncertainty

KARACHI:

A project originally conceived to ease the chronic traffic woes of the metropolis has instead become a daily ordeal for commuters, as the long-delayed Red Line BRT once again grinds to a halt, leaving major stretches of the city's busiest corridors in disarray.

What was meant to be a modern transit solution has now transformed into a prolonged source of disruption, dust, and uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of residents who use the affected routes each day.

Work on the Red Line BRT has literally stopped after the government sealed the office of the contractor responsible for Lot 2, triggering the withdrawal of staff and removal of light machinery from the site.

The affected segment - stretching from Safoora Chowrangi to Hasan Square - is among the most critical and heavily used portions of the 26.6-kilometre corridor.

While some heavy machinery remains stationed under security watch, construction activity has largely ceased, further compounding delays on a project that has already missed multiple deadlines.

For commuters, the impact has been immediate and severe.

Dr Nazim Hussain, who travels daily via University Road, said the stalled work has added strain to routine travel. While he supported action against non-performing contractors, he urged the government to ensure continuity. "Accountability is important, but so is keeping the project moving," he said.

Residents say repeated disruptions have turned the corridor into a persistent hardship. Javed Farooqui, a Scheme 33 resident commuting to Bolton Market, said years of construction have left the route in constant chaos. "For four years, we have faced delays and roadblocks. Now it feels like there is no clear end in sight," he said.

Students are also among the worst affected. Ali Yusha, a student of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, pointed to worsening conditions near the NIPA flyover, where water seepage and excavation have damaged road surfaces. He said dust and debris have made daily commuting increasingly difficult.

Before leaving the site, the contractor reportedly covered a damaged section of the NIPA flyover with soil. The damage occurred during water pipeline installation work, while responsibility for repairs remains unclear following the termination of the contract. The Red Line BRT spans from Model Colony Tank Chowrangi to Numaish Chowrangi. Initially estimated at Rs65 billion, the project cost has surged to around Rs103 billion amid repeated revisions and delays.

Originally scheduled for completion in June 2023, the deadline has been extended several times, with June this year now cited as the latest target - though its timely completion now appears increasingly uncertain.