CM approves plan to provide 600 new buses to Karachi

KARACHI: Government of Sindh has finally taken notice of dilapidated condition of public transport, as Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah approved to grant Rs2 billion financial assistance to transporters in order to introduce 600 intercity buses in Karachi.

The decision was made in during a meeting on intra-city and inter-city bus services held on Wednesday, presided by the Chief Minister.

According to Geo News, during the meeting the Chief Minister said the provincial government will help transporters in generating funds for the new buses, while their insurance will be done by the Sindh Insurance Company.

Elaborating himself he said that the Sindh government will give Rs2 billion through Modaraba, and provide banks 30 percent credit risk guarantee, the channel added.

On the other hand, according to Dunya News, in the same meeting, the transport minister Nasir Shah pointed out that Sindh's capital city [Karachi] is in need of at least 8000 public buses. He explained adding that at least 600 buses would meet the minimum requirement of the city.

While discussing the Blue Line Project, Dawn News quoted the transport minister saying, "its route would be from Al Asif Square (Sohrab Goth) to Golimar. It would be a 12-kilometre-long route of which 6.6km would be elevated. The project would have nine stations; five of them would be elevated and three at grade. There would be a ridership of 375,000 daily."

He explained that since Karachi was in need of better transport services, government should focus on improving these facilities and it will also uplift its image.

In reply to this, the CM ordered the department to fulfill the necessary requirements to initiate these projects as soon as possible and the Sindh government will assist them administratively and financially.