Construction on Karachi’s long-delayed Red Line Bus Rapid Transit project has finally resumed after Sindh’s chief minister intervened to resolve key bottlenecks. Despite the restart, officials still have not provided a clear completion timeline, leaving thousands of commuters on University Road to face continued daily disruptions.
Work stalled nearly two months ago because of rising project costs and complications in relocating underground utility lines. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon told an Asian Development Bank delegation on Thursday that construction has restarted and that the provincial government is working to speed up implementation and address remaining challenges.
The ADB is the project’s primary financer. The Red Line is designed to run 27 kilometers from Malir Halt to Numaish along University Road. Announced in 2017 at an estimated cost of Rs. 79 billion, the project has suffered repeated delays, pushing the estimated expense to Rs103 billion.
After construction began in early 2022, officials first projected completion in 2023, then extended it to 2024, and later to the end of 2026.
Officials have blamed the setbacks on contractor disputes, rising construction costs, land acquisition difficulties, utility relocation, and weak coordination among implementing agencies. With the latest intervention, authorities say the project is moving again after its suspension in September.
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