“Karachi’s Green Line bus project will be more beautiful than the Lahore metro,” PM Nawaz Sharif announces
KARACHI – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) at Karachi’s Anu Bhai Park on Friday. The project starts from Karachi’s Surjani Town area all the way till Guru Mandir and will benefit nearly 300,000 passengers per day.
The bus service is the first ever rapid transit system that has been initiated by the federal government. The project is a significant milestone in upgrading and decongestant the overburdened transport infrastructure of Karachi.
Nawaz Sharif said the government has provided Rs 16 billion for the project, which will provide modern transport facilities to the commuters.
Premier said while addressing the ceremony, ‘I am glad that this project has been launched within such short span of time. This project was extremely necessary for improving the transport system in Karachi. This will be completed by next year.’
“Karachi’s Green Line bus project will be more beautiful than the Lahore metro,” PM said.
Out of the 17.8km stretch of the Green Line BRT, 9.92km will be elevated and 7.88km will be on ground. There will be a total of 21 stations along its route.
The project will be completed in about a year’s time, and the infrastructure will be handed over to the Sindh government once construction is complete.
A fully autonomous company – Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Limited (KIDCL) – has been incorporated under a Board of Directors comprising a good mix of project stakeholders including senior government functionaries, independent and technical directors and members from academia to take all decisions independently for planning and implementation of the project.
Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan thanked the prime minister for the mass transit project which he said was significant for the development of Karachi.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah thanked the prime minister for providing financial assistance in the Green Line project. “I appreciate the efforts being done by the prime minister. The mass transit project was an earnest need of the people of this mega city,” he added.
The main objectives of Green Line project is to provide reliable, safe, affordable, high quality bus service and improve the quality of life of commuters in Karachi. It will provide infrastructure that allows buses to ply in an efficient manner with exclusive right-of-way for a significant portion of their route length.
On the arrival of PM Nawaz Sharif at the PAF Base Faisal, the prime minister was welcomed by Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. The provincial home minister, chief secretary, DG Sindh Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar, and IG Sindh Police were also present at the base.
PM was also briefed on the overall law and order situation in the province at the meeting, which was also attended by the Governor Sindh, chief minister, DG Rangers Sindh Major-General Bilal Akbar, Chief Secretary Sindh and IG Sindh.
He said, “Karachi’s situation has significantly improved and the crimes rate has now reached its lowest but we will not stop the Karachi operation until the restoration of complete peace in the city. We will bring this operation to a logical end.”
