Karachi’s long-stalled Red Line BRT project has finally resumed, offering some relief to residents after weeks of disruption, though officials have yet to announce when the project will be completed.
Construction restarted after Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah intervened to resolve key hurdles that had halted work for nearly two months. Rising project costs, contractor disputes and complications in shifting underground utility lines were the main reasons behind the stoppage.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, during a meeting with an Asian Development Bank delegation, confirmed that “construction activities have now resumed and efforts are underway to accelerate the pace”.
Originally launched in 2017, the 27-kilometer Red Line stretching from Malir Halt to Numaish via University Road has faced repeated delays. The project’s estimated cost has risen from Rs79 billion to Rs103 billion due to inflation and redesign challenges. Although work officially began in early 2022, the completion date has shifted multiple times from 2023 to 2024, then 2026, and remains uncertain even now.
The Asian Development Bank, the main financer, has urged improved coordination among departments. Thousands of daily commuters continue to face diversions and traffic congestion on University Road as construction moves slowly.
Officials say the latest intervention signals a renewed push, but Karachi residents await a definite timeline to see the Red Line finally become operational.