The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has recommenced construction on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line Lot 2 along University Road in Karachi, announced Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Sunday. The Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, has imposed a strict 90-day timeline to complete the mixed traffic corridor and drainage works.
Mayor Wahab confirmed the resumption of work on University Road, emphasizing the provincial government’s commitment to finishing the corridor and drainage within three months. The mixed traffic lanes of Red Line Lot 2 have been officially handed over to FWO, although the contract for the main corridor of Lot 2 remains unawarded.
This development follows the recent cancellation of the Lot 2 contract, which covers the Mosamiyat-Numaish corridor, due to ongoing delays and unsatisfactory contractor performance. The decision was influenced by concerns raised by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) delegation during a recent inspection. The delegation highlighted issues related to the pace and quality of work, as well as shortcomings in health, safety, and environmental compliance.
Authorities initiated formal procedures to terminate the agreement, and district officials sealed the contractor’s office associated with Lot 2. The ADB’s dissatisfaction with the contractor’s performance played a significant role in prompting government action.
Construction on Lot 2, the larger and more problematic segment of the project, has experienced multiple setbacks. These include extended suspensions last year caused by financial disputes between the contractor and authorities, which required court intervention to resolve payment issues.
Launched in 2022 with an original completion target of 30 months, the Red Line project was expected to be finished by June 2024. However, persistent delays have pushed the timeline far beyond the deadline. The project is divided into two sections: Lot 1, stretching from Airport Signal to Mosamiyat, and Lot 2, from Mosamiyat to Numaish, with the latter facing significant execution challenges.
Meanwhile, Karachi’s residents continue to suffer from the stalled project, enduring disrupted routes and severe traffic congestion across the city’s roads.
