Moving ahead: Sindh govt approves plan for Orange Line BRTS

The Rs2.35-billion project will be merged with the federal government's Green Line

KARACHI: With the federal government's Rs16 billion Green Line Metro Bus service almost ready to be constructed in Karachi, the Sindh government has approved the PC-1 for the Orange Line. The Sindh government plans to hold a ground-breaking ceremony for the project on November 5.

In June, Sindh transport secretary Tuaha Farooqui had told The Express Tribune that the provincial government will hold the ground-breaking ceremony of the 4.7 kilometre-long Orange Line, which is to run from Board Office to Orangi Town, in September. After of delay of two months, the Sindh government is finally ready to kick off the project.



During a session presided over by Karachi commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, it was decided that Orange Line bus service, to start from Orangi Town through Qasba Colony, will merge with the federal government's Green Line Metro Bus service at Board office Chowrangi.

It was also revealed in the session that the project will cost Rs2.35 billion, which will include the cost of shifting and relocating utility lines as well as the provision of alternative routes for traffic. However, no route has been decided yet.

During the session, Siddiqui insisted that the alternative routes must be devised bearing in mind convenience for the public, for which purpose, he asked the relevant deputy commissioners and traffic police officials to visit the site on Monday and come up with effective diversions.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2015.