The SINDH government has approved major infrastructure and public service projects under the public-private partnership model, including the launch of 500 electrical buses for Karachi and Hyderabad and the construction of a 16.5 kilometer-elevated highway from Karachi Port to Qayyumabad.
The approvals came under the 48th meeting of the PPP policy council, chairman of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at CM House on Friday.
The meeting attended provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Zia-Ul-Hassan Lanjar and others together with senior officials, including chief secretary Asif Haider Shah and President P&D Board Najam Shah.
Green Transport Project
The board gave the gap to People’s Green Transport Project, aimed at introducing 500 electrical buses in Karachi and Hyderabad in phases. The project includes the development of depots, charging stations, bus shelves, automated ticket price systems and a modern transport management network.
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Implemented under a design-building finance maintenance-operat-Transfer (DBFMOT) model With a 12-year concession, the project is expected to earn over 200,000 passengers daily and will be integrated with the Green Line BRT system. The Board of Directors called the initiative a big step towards cleaner and more effective urban city.
Karachi Port-Qayyumabad elevated highway
The board also approved the construction of a 16.5 km, four-lane elevated shipping costway connecting Karachi Port (East Wharf) to Jam Sadiq exchange at Qayyumabad. The project will shorten travel distance by 26 kilometers, minimize overload on urban roads and improve the connection between the port, Shahrah-E-Bhutto and M-9 motorway.
CM instructed the PPP board to speed up papers so that the pioneering of the project could soon be held. The project includes a 10-year minimum income guarantee from the SINDH government. Design adjustments were approved for adaptation to the yellow line Brt and to minimize the acquisition of land.
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The Board of Directors also reviewed the 10th year, a revised operational budget for Sindh Government Children’s Hospital, North Karachi, corresponding to RS738.65 million, with a further RS95.12 million in capital expenses for its final contract year. The audits were approved to ensure continued delivery of high quality healthcare services.
Carbon Credits for sale
To combat climate change and restore Sindh’s river forests, the board approved a 41,000 hectare of afforestation project in Jamshoro and Matiari under PPP mode. The project is expected to generate 35-40 million carbon credits for sale in international markets and pick up valuable currency.
The Board of Directors authorized the Forest Department to issue letters to successful bidders in three packages and approved engaging the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for an opportunity survey of a new 88,000 hectare forestry project.
These initiatives, CM, said, reflects Sindh’s growing dependence on sustainable partnerships to modernize infrastructure, strengthen public services and address environmental challenges.
