KARACHI: The construction work on the extended part of BRT Green Line track, measuring 1.9 km ending at Jama Coth Market, was formally launched on Monday. The completion timeline is October 30, 2026. This portion will cost Rs 5. 5 billion, the amount is already allocated by the prime minister.
K-4 water supply project for Karachi will also be completed by end of 2026.
Barrister Raja Khaleeq-uz-Zaman Ansari, Federal Government’s Spokesman for Sindh said that the Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has been taken into confidence after addressing all the reservations shown by him. These issues pertained to shifting of services i.e. ensuring smooth traffic flow, construction of sewerage and storm drain systems, footpaths and pedestrian bridges, street lights.
Raja was addressing at a press conference along with the Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, and MQM-Pakistan MNA Aminul Haque regarding the Green Line Extension Project as the Common Corridor for all the BRT services. MQM-P MNA Arshad Vohra and MQM-P’s Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshedi , and Waseem Hayat Bajwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited under Federal Ministry of Housing and Works were also present.
He claimed that Green Line project was the gift by PML-N government and it was the best transport service, which has got big appreciation from the people of Karachi.
He denied the political scoring by any political party on the development projects. The Mayor was worried about the Karachiites. He said that Green Line track was originally planned between Surjani and Municipal Park Saddar, the total distance of 21.5-kilometres. After completion of this extended portion, this project will be asset under the administration of Karachi Mayor.
Ansari said Prime Minister Shehbaz Shareef was an open-hearted person and wanted maximum development in Karachi. He is generous to give money for Karachi. The federal government was ready to provide more funds for the development of Sindh province, including Karachi.
The spokesman said that 64 percent work had been done on K-IV and it would be completed before end of 2026.
The work on these mega projects will be carried on very fast pace. These are expected to be completed before schedule. The prime minister is taking personal interest and monitoring the progress.
Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab urged that rising above political or personal agenda , all the stakeholders would have to work together for the development and prosperity of the city. If Karachi develops and progresses, the entire province rather the entire country would prosper.
The Mayor said that he had a meeting with PIDCL officials and was given assurance that all the issues raised by him would be rightly addressed and the project would be completed by October 30, 2026. There was no financial issue.
He said that the federal and provincial governments, and KMC as well as PIDCL could all together resolve issues of the projects for good of the common man in Karachi.
Murtaza Wahab said that he and his party leadership were in favour of development and the purpose of sharing reservations was only to put things on the right path. This is the common corridor where all BRT services would connect.
He said Sindh Cabinet also resolved the issues facing Red Line project.
Expressing his gratitude to the prime minister for his support, Wahab said that the metropolis needed more projects like the Green Line Project. “In future, we all will stand together for the development of Karachi,” he resolved, adding that every political party rather every citizen should join for the development of the country.
MQM-P’s MNA Aminul Haque said that the big stakeholders of the city were on the same page for their common agenda of development of Karachi.
He said PIDCL had all required funds and everything would go smooth to timely completion of the projects.
He said that MQM-P leadership brought Rs 20 billion for Karachi and Rs 5 billion for Hyderabad. And, he continued, the party’s elected representatives were struggling to get another Rs 15 billion for Karachi.
He said MQM-P supported the Mayor Karachi’s stand on 148-A, which suggests disparity in the powers of Karachi Mayor and of other Cities Mayor. “We want same powers to Karachi Mayor.”
He said that the foundation stone of the Green Line project was laid in 2017 by the then Prime Minister Main Nawaz Sharif. Now, the work on the remaining portion of 1.9 km has been started.
“MQM-P will bring more funds for the city,” he pledged.
MQM-Pakistan was advocating for the provision of rights to Mayors, including the Mayor of Karachi, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.