KARACHI: Authorities in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province said on Tuesday the country’s most densely populated megacity of Karachi would get the Green Line section of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service next month, though experts claimed the completion of the project launched in 2016 was not likely to resolve the transportation woes of the people.
“The federal government-funded Green Line BRT project will become operational in August,” Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said during a news conference in Karachi, adding the modern mass transit system would be launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan himself.
He added that the buses for the Green Line service had been manufactured in China and were “likely to reach Karachi by August 15.”
The Pakistani government announced its decision to build the 35-kilometer Green Line project on February 26, 2016, as the first phase of the Karachi Metrobus Network to address the transportation problems of the city’s residents. A spokesperson of the Sindh governor told Arab News that 80 buses were planned to be used for the Green Line service.
“While it is good that the project will soon become operational, the fact is that this and other transportation corridors will only facilitate about seven to eight percent of the population. A chunk of the city’s residents will continue to remain deprived of a comfortable transportation option even when all seven corridors become functional,” Dr. Noman Ahmed, professor and dean of the faculty of architecture and management sciences at the NED University, told Arab News.
“Karachi had a good transport system comprising of public and private buses. There was also a circular railway that was functional,” he continued, adding that new buses were not added to the old system and instead its various routes were canceled.
President of Karachi Transport Ittehad Syed Irshad Hussain Shah Bukhari said about 25,000 buses were operational on different routes of the city in 2009, but the system had completely collapsed, and people were left with no option but to pay more money to ride auto-rikshaws and taxi services.
“Just a decade ago, we had 25,000 buses running on over 700 routes that covered every part of the city,” he said. “But that time is long gone. At the moment, we have about 300 buses operating on just about 50 routes and we have no hope of the revival of the old system.”
Dr. Ahmed suggested the revival of the private sector to fix the city’s transportation issues and facilitate a greater number of its residents.
“The cost of constructing these seven corridors has exceeded Rs170 billion,” he noted. “Could we not have conceived an alternative system before spending such an exorbitant amount of money only to facilitate seven to eight percent of Karachi’s population?”
Critics question government’s transportation strategy as Karachi prepares for new bus service in August
https://arab.news/b4ahx
Critics question government’s transportation strategy as Karachi prepares for new bus service in August
- The country’s most densely populated metropolis has been facing transportation challenges after a drastic decline in the number of private buses
- Experts say the new mass transit system will only benefit seven to eight percent of the city’s population
Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers
- Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
- Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.
Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.
“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.
“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.
Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.
