Japan Interna-tional Co-operation Agency (JICA) plans to introduce Mass Transit System (MTS) in Karachi. This was stated by Director General (Karachi Mass Transit Cell) Malik Zaheer ul Islam, at a seminar on Karachi Transportation Improvement Project held here on Wednesday.
"JICA in collaboration with City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has planned construction of MTS in the city, under the Karachi Urban Transport Plan for 2030". He said that the project, which kicked off last year, is currently in planning stage. Planning is divided in two phases and the work on Phase-I would be completed by the end of June this year. The second phase, which would then start would further take two years to complete, he said.
Later a feasibility report would be prepared which is pivotal for the materialisation of the project, he said adding that a Bus Transit System (BTS) or a Rail Transit System (RTS) or a combination of both is being planned for the city. A detailed study concerning the site of the project is being carried out by a consultancy team from Japan and Pakistan at different corridors of the metropolis namely, Guru Mandir to Surjani, Nagan Chowrangi to Korangi, Guru Mandir to Safura Goth, Korangi to Cantt Station, Nagan Chowrangi to SITE and Tower to Sohrab Goth, he said.
He stressed the need of reduction of private cars and urged the public to increase the use of public transport. People are looking forward for a better public transport system and admitted that the city faced a shortage of 7,800 public buses. Malik Zaheer ul Islam said the MTS is one of the practical solutions to the transport problem in the city, terming it "a need of time." He said that by 2030 the number of registered cars and motorcycles would increase to 2.6 million and 3.6 million, respectively." This drastic rise in private ownership of cars and motorbikes has caused the transport system to deteriorate and had also increased traffic accidents and pollution in the city.
Concerning the financial aspects of the project, he said that the project would be constructed through build, operate and transfer (BOT) with concessions. It would be funded by JICA, public-private partnerships and the city government, he said. Co-ordination of local authorities is required and appealed the masses for their support so that the project is implemented without any fear or favour.