KARACHI – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has formally apologized to the citizens of Karachi for the prolonged delays in the construction work on University Road, assuring that mixed traffic lanes will be restored within the next three months. The Chief Minister made these remarks during a high-profile visit to the BRT Red Line project site. Acknowledging the severe hardships faced by commuters, he emphasized that the provincial government is committed to alleviating public suffering by expediting the project.
Key Developments and Directives
Following discussions with the Director General of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), the CM confirmed that construction activities will resume at full scale within the next 48 to 72 hours. The 12-kilometer stretch dedicated to mixed traffic is expected to be completed and operational within a three-month window. CM Shah also announced that the tender for the main corridor of BRT Red Line Lot-2 will be re-issued, noting that the original contract awarded four years ago was marred by substandard quality. In a bid to meet the new deadlines, the Chief Minister guaranteed that work will continue uninterrupted, even during the upcoming Eid holidays.
Project Background
The BRT Red Line project, which initially broke ground in 2022, was originally scheduled for completion by 2024. However, technical hurdles and performance issues with contractors led to significant delays, turning one of the city’s busiest arteries into a persistent bottleneck for Karachiites.
“The hopes of the people are pinned on the Sindh Government, and I personally guarantee that we will bring this project to completion as swiftly as possible,” said CM Murad Ali Shah.
