Sindh cabinet approves BRT Blue Line Infrastructure initiative

KARACHI: The Sindh Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendment to the SPPRA Rule 47(3) to undertake the solicitation process of BRT Blue Line Infrastructure Component in an expeditious manner, in its meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at New Secretariat here.

Briefing the cabinet about traffic issue of the city, Sindh Transport Minister Syed Nasir Shah said that there were 4.137 million vehicles registered in Karachi and currently 6,457 buses of various size are plying on 192 routes as against the requirement of 10,600 buses, according to a press release.

On this the chief minister said that it shows a shortfall of 4,143 buses.

He added that in Karachi there were 45 persons for one bus seat in Karachi while in Bombay the ratio is 12 persons per seat and in Hong Kong eight persons per seat.

"We have to reduce this gap by providing efficient, comfortable and affordable transport facilities to the people of this city," he said.

The Transport Minister said that the number of contract carriages/buses is 2715 and 80 percent buses were more than 20 years old.

On this, the CM Sindh said that it means 5400 vehicles are 20 years old and are not only causing travelling problems but contributing to the environmental problems. "This is why I am giving special focus to resolve the transport issues," he said.

The cabinet was told that 6,078 private vehicles and 22,476 motorcycles are being registered every month leading to more traffic congestion, causing more pollution, increasing traffic density and increasing vehicle operating cost.

Secretary Transport Naveed Awan said that the provincial government has started some Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) projects and work on Abdul Sattar Edhi Orange Line was in progress and simultaneously the chief minister is keen to start Blue Line BRT project.

He added that the Transport & Mass Transit Department has received an unsolicited proposal from a consortium of EA Consulting to design, build, finance, operate and transfer of 10.1 km long Blue Line BRT project.

There would be a 27 year concession period which include two years of construction and 25 years of operation and maintenance.

The cabinet discussed the project and in order to undertake the solicitation process in expeditious manner, the cabinet approved an amendment to the SPPRA Rule 47(3) under which pre-qualification exemption had been made. Then, any firm could directly participate in the bidding process.

The Women Development Department brought Sindh Dowry Act 2017 draft in the cabinet for discussion.

Under the proposed law, extravagance for dowry, presents and bridal gifts in connection with marriage have been fixed at Rs 50,000.

The draft law says that no person shall give or take or abet the giving of taking of dowry exceeding rupees fifty thousand.

No person shall demand directly or indirectly from the family or other relatives of bride any dowry.

On this, the chief minister said that the law proposed law would be difficult to implement, if passed by the assembly.

"We have to make such laws which could be implemented in true letter and spirit," he said and added dowry or extravagance in connection with marriage is a social problem for which we have to educate people of our society.

The proposal was also opposed by Industries Minister Manzoor Wassan and P&D Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani. The matter was referred to a committee to make it workable.