Karachi: The Sindh government has approved the establishment of a modern heavy transport terminal for trucks, trailers and other large vehicles on the Northern Bypass outside Karachi in a move aimed at reducing traffic congestion within the city.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (Sindh Mass Transit Authority) board chaired by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. Senior officials including Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, SMTA Managing Director Saleemullah Odho, Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Islam Sheikh, and DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah attended the meeting.
As part of the plan, a dedicated cargo corridor will also be developed from Karachi Port to the proposed terminal, enabling smoother movement of heavy vehicles and reducing disruption on urban roads.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at shifting freight traffic away from central Karachi routes to improve mobility, ease congestion, and strengthen the city’s transport infrastructure.
In addition to the terminal, the board also reviewed wider transport and mobility reforms across Sindh, including the expansion of electric vehicle-based public transport.
The board approved the early launch of an electric vehicle taxi service in Karachi, along with plans to open financial bids later this month to advance the project.
It also approved the procurement of 50 double-decker buses for Karachi, each with a capacity of 126 passengers, to improve public transport services and reduce pressure on existing systems.
Under a public-private partnership model, the board further approved the procurement of 500 electric buses, with 450 to operate on 25 routes in Karachi and 50 on five routes in Hyderabad. The government also plans to establish EV depots in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur to support operations.
Separately, the board approved the purchase of 500 additional pink electric scooters for women as part of a mobility initiative. The scooters are scheduled for distribution in Hyderabad on May 22.
Other decisions included the construction of a single-storey parking facility near Maula Ali (RA) Qadam Gah in Hyderabad and the gradual conversion of traffic signals across Sindh to solar-powered systems.
Officials said these initiatives form part of a broader strategy to modernise urban transport and reduce traffic pressure across Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
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