A tragic incident occurred in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area when a structure under construction near Baitul Mukarram Mosque collapsed, resulting in the death of a duty guard. Rescue teams responded promptly and recovered the victim’s body from beneath the debris, confirming no other casualties or injuries at the site.
The collapsed structure was part of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which has been plagued by delays and construction challenges. The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined by officials.
In a significant development, the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) resumed work on Lot 2 of the project along University Road in April after the previous contractor’s contract was terminated due to persistent delays and poor performance. The BRT project, initiated in 2022 with a 30-month timeline, was originally expected to be completed by June 2024 but has since faced multiple setbacks.
Lot 2, covering the stretch between Mosamiyat and Numaish, has encountered numerous obstacles including work stoppages and disputes between contractors and authorities. The Asian Development Bank, a key stakeholder in the project, has expressed concerns regarding construction speed, quality, and adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards.
Meanwhile, the project is divided into two segments: Lot 1, from Airport signal to Mosamiyat, and Lot 2, from Mosamiyat to Numaish. The latter segment has experienced the most significant difficulties, including financial disputes that led to prolonged suspensions and court interventions to resolve payment issues.
As the project continues to face delays, Karachi’s residents are enduring disrupted transportation routes and increased traffic congestion. This recent collapse is expected to intensify scrutiny over safety protocols at construction sites involved in this major urban transport initiative.
