Karachi: The second phase of Karachi’s Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project will be completed within a year, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal announced on Monday during a visit to the Green Line camp office.
Addressing the media, the minister said the federal government was committed to resolving the issues delaying the expansion work. He added that a meeting between Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and officials of the Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (PIDCL) would be held soon to iron out differences and accelerate progress.
Iqbal recalled that the first phase of the Green Line BRT had been completed at a cost of PKR 29 billion, but work on the remaining stretch had stalled due to disputes and legal hurdles. “I’ve spoken to the Sindh chief minister, who has assured that the mayor will coordinate with PIDCL officials to address all reservations. We will sit together and resolve every concern,” he said.
Describing the Green Line as a “gift to Karachi from Nawaz Sharif”, the minister said that the second phase had been delayed because of a court case. He added that PKR 3 billion had been allocated in the current federal budget to complete the remaining 1.8-kilometre stretch beyond the Numaish intersection.
Turning to other infrastructure projects, Iqbal said the motorway network would be completed before the end of the government’s term, while the Quetta–Chaman route was being upgraded to expressway standards.
On the K-IV bulk water supply project, the minister clarified that it was initially a provincial initiative, later handed over to Wapda for execution. “Despite an investment of PKR 140 billion in K-IV, the distribution phase still needs to be completed,” he said, adding that the Sindh government would handle the laying of distribution lines, while the federal government would continue to release funds for the project.
Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving Karachi’s infrastructure, saying coordinated efforts between federal and provincial authorities were essential to delivering long-delayed urban projects.
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