Red Line revival or repeat delay?

Sindh hands the reins to FWO, promising completion within 90 days

KARACHI:

In a renewed push to revive a long-delayed mega project, the Sindh government has decided to fast-track work on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line, one of the city's most critical transport initiatives.

On the directives of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) has restarted construction on sections that had been stalled for months. The provincial government has issued strict instructions for the completion of the mixed-traffic corridor and drainage system within 90 days, aiming to significantly reduce the hardships faced by the residents.

The move comes after the office of the previous contractor was sealed, prompting the government to hand over the project to FWO on an emergency basis. Officials say the urgency reflects both administrative resolve and mounting public pressure after years of disruption.

Chief Minister Shah has announced that construction activities will continue even during Eid holidays to ensure that the three-month deadline is met. Government sources indicate that work on both sides of Lot II will be completed within this timeframe, with special focus on severely affected stretches.

Special attention is being given to the corridor from Numaish to Mosamiyat, where essential infrastructure - including water pipelines, service roads, and drainage lines - is expected to be completed by the end of July. These areas have long been a source of traffic congestion and commuter frustration.

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab confirmed via social media platform X that FWO resumed work on University Road starting Sunday. He reiterated that the chief minister has directed authorities to complete the mixed-traffic corridor and drainage work within 90 days.

Addressing the media during a visit to the project site, Chief Minister Shah acknowledged delays and publicly apologised to citizens for the prolonged inconvenience. He assured that the mixed-traffic lanes - spanning approximately 12 kilometres - would be restored within three months, emphasising that alleviating public suffering remains a top priority.

Shah further revealed that the tender for the main corridor of Lot II would be reissued. He added that discussions with the Director General of FWO have already taken place, with assurances that full-scale construction activity would resume within two to three days.

The project, launched in 2022 with an estimated cost of Rs77-80 billion, has since seen its budget swell to over Rs103 billion. Despite the significant financial outlay, progress remained sluggish due to disputes between the government and the previous contractor, particularly over funding and quality of work.

Over the past four years, the incomplete project has caused severe disruption to daily life in Karachi, drawing sustained criticism from the public. Social media users have frequently mocked the delays, with one viral comment noting that while global chokepoints may reopen, Karachi's University Road remains perpetually under construction.