KARACHI – The BRT Red Line, Karachi’s multi-million dollar mass transit project, has hit another major roadblock. TransKarachi has officially terminated the contract for Lot-2 and sealed the contractor’s office in Gulshan-e-Iqbal following serious concerns raised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Key Details of the Termination
The decision comes after a high-level delegation from the ADB expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor’s performance. According to a statement issued by TransKarachi, the termination was fueled by persistent delays in construction timelines, workmanship that did not meet required international standards, and serious lapses in Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) protocols.
Project Background and Deadlines
The $500 million BRT Red Line project is a cornerstone of Karachi’s modern transport strategy. Initially started in 2022 with an original completion goal of 2025, the deadline was recently revised to 2026, though it is expected to be further impacted by this termination.
TransKarachi officials stated that formal legal proceedings to finalize the contract termination are currently underway. While the office in Gulshan-e-Iqbal remains sealed, the management aims to re-strategize Lot-2 to ensure the project does not face indefinite suspension.
