Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has criticized the prolonged delays in the completion of the Green Line and Red Line mass transport projects that warned that these initiatives at the current pace may not be completed even in 2035.
The red line launched in March 2022 was originally estimated to be completed within 30 months. After three years, however, the 26 -kilometer project remains far from completed.
Co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the French Agency for Development and Green Climate Fund, the red line is designed to ferry passengers on a dedicated track between Model Colony and Numaish junction via University Road. The original estimated costs of the project were $ 493.5 million.
Wahab, who spoke to the media in Karachi on Friday, called for Public Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL) to provide a clear timeline for the implementation of both projects.
“Development work in the city must be controlled locally. When Karachi Metropolitan Corporation received a letter from Pidcl, it replied by asking for a final project ending time line. Using a no -input certificate from 2017 in 2025 is simply unacceptable – at this speed the project may not even be completed by 2035.”
The mayor, who highlighted ongoing challenges, said: “We were facing serious problems on the green line -route near Nagan Chowrangi and KDA Chowrangi. Now citizens are experiencing similar difficulties along University Road because of the Red Line project.”
Wahab emphasized the urgent need to tackle damaged roads, destroyed paths and incomplete civilian works that have influenced the daily life of the city. He said that Karachi residents continue to face difficulties due to administrative delays and poor coordination.
He called for local leadership to be brought aboard in all stages of construction and development, while confirming KMC’s obligation to protect citizens’ interests and ensuring that no development project comes at the expense of the city’s infrastructure or public convenience.
