Karachi: The Sindh government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed to revive the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and expand electric bus services across Karachi and other divisional headquarters in the province.
The agreement came during a high-level meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and an ADB delegation led by Country Director Emma Fan. Both sides discussed ways to deepen development cooperation and expedite priority transport projects in Sindh.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the KCR remains a flagship transport priority, describing it as a vital lifeline for Karachi. He highlighted that its revival, along with integration into the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines, would help reduce congestion, lower carbon emissions, and provide safe and affordable transport for millions of residents.
The ADB delegation agreed in principle to support the project, urging the provincial government to submit the necessary documentation for board approval. The meeting also reviewed a proposed ADB development pipeline for 2026–2029 worth nearly USD 3 billion, covering transport, urban development, health, education, water, rural development, and climate resilience projects.
In addition to the KCR, the Sindh government plans to introduce electric bus services in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana to promote sustainable mobility and reduce fuel dependence. The Chief Minister stated that these initiatives aim to modernize public transport while supporting climate-friendly urban development.
Both sides stressed the importance of timely project implementation, strengthened governance, and improved institutional capacity to prevent delays and cost overruns. ADB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sindh’s sustainable transport and broader development agenda.
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