The total cost of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project in Karachi jumped to Rs77.597 billion, registering the whopping increase of Rs12 billion to its original cost, estimated at Rs65.589 billion. According to official documents, the modified PC-1 of the project, which was recommended by Central Development Working Party (CDWP) to Ecnec for approval, showed that within the span of one year, the construction cost of the project increased to Rs77.597 billion.
The original PC-1 was prepared in May 2018, which indicated the total cost at Rs65.589 billion and now the project has been approved with the modified PC-1 of Rs77.597 billion. In dollar terms, Government of Sindh would put in $88 million financing whereas the rest of the funding would be made by Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, French Agency for Development and Green Climate Fund, which stood at $474 million.
The financial scheme of the project indicated that a huge provision of Rs 8.324 billion (US$ 60.32 million) has been made for taxes. A provision of Rs3.285 billion has been made for the common corridor where green line connects the red line. The cost of the staging facility has been increased by Rs1.326 billion (from Rs 2.3 billion in modified PC-I to Rs3.626 billion in the re-modified PC-I).
A gross provision of Rs6.97 billion for contingencies has been made in the re-modified PC-I. Similarly a provision of Rs 2.836 billion has been made in the PC-I for meeting the financial charges such as 1DC and commitment fees. A provision of Rs.2.12 billion has been made for Bus Industry restructuring programme.
Rs3.194 billion has been earmarked for relocation of utilities, including Rs1.211 billion for KSEW and Rs 171 million for Sui Southern. Similarly in the summary of costs for relocation of utilities, a tentative cost for additional length of corridor at Rs 974.5 million has been estimated. Karachi BRT Red Line Project has been planned to develop a sustainable urban bus transport system in metropolis with less travel time and enhanced mobility and accessibility.
Estimated passengers per day would be 320,000. The re-modified PC-I of the project envisages construction of metro bus dedicated corridors measuring 29.1 Km in length, from Numaish to Malir Halt depot and common corridor of 2.4 km. Out of 29.1 km, 26.45 Km is at grade section, 1.72 km is elevated and 2,43 km is underground section. This will include civil and electric works.
The construction work includes eight off-corridor routes including direct and feeder services and procurement of 199 buses comprising of three types 9m, 12m & 18m. Also, provision of ITS Equipment and security systems, land acquisition and resettlement plan, relocation of utilities, however, the land acquisition for the two depot sites has not been included in the cost of instant PC-I. Besides, provision of non-motorized transport facility, bus industry restructuring program.
Official documents pointed out that Karachi is the only mega city in the world with no mass transit. Although one BRT corridor is under construction under federal government, funding however, considering the size of the city, it needs a comprehensive network of integrated mass transit system with multiple corridors. The available public transport provides a poor quality bus service that poses danger to its users including women and children.