Strict implementation of alternative traffic plan along Karachi’s Red Line route ordered
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon has directed officials to expedite work on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project and asked them to strictly implement an alternative traffic plan to minimise public inconvenience.
This decision was made at a high-level meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department held on Saturday, chaired by Mr Memon.
The meeting focused on key decisions related to ongoing public transport projects, with the participation of Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Managing Director Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) Kanwal Nizam Bhutto, Project Director Yellow Line Kamal Dayo, and CEO Trans Karachi Fawad Ghaffar Soomro, along with project engineers and consultants.
During the meeting, Mr Soomro gave a detailed briefing on the development work, challenges, and future goals of the Red Line project.
Senior Minister Memon described the overall pace of the project as satisfactory, while emphasising that the work should be further accelerated and directed all relevant departments to ensure daily progress.
Mr Memon said, “The timely completion of the corridor is a top priority for the Sindh government to eliminate the travel difficulties, traffic congestion, and daily hassles faced by the public.”
He also directed the launch of a more proactive and effective awareness campaign to provide timely information to citizens.
Regarding the new fleet of buses, Mr Memon instructed that the process of launching it be expedited, with a focus on selecting routes where residents face the most significant transport issues.
In a related directive, he ordered the construction of the second track of the Senator Taj Haider Bridge to begin as soon as possible and directed the relevant authorities to take immediate action.
The minister described these initiatives as “serious and practical steps” by the provincial government to provide a modern and efficient public transport system, concluding that the new buses and BRT projects combined will bring about “a positive change in urban life.”
