KARACHI  -  Senior Minister of Transport and Mass Transit Sindh Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday said that the work on the BRT Red Line project was progressing rapidly and the project would be completed within the stipulated time in 2026 despite the delay made during the caretaker regime.

He said this during his visit to the 26.5 kilometers long Red Line route along with media persons. Senior Minister viewed the ongoing work on the BRT Red Line project and issued instructions to the relevant officers. “The BRT Red Line is Pakistan’s first biogas-powered project and its vehicles will run on environment-friendly biogas,” Sharjeel said. Sharjeel Memon said that there was a delay of six to eight months in the work on this project during the previous caretaker government, but the elected government of the People’s Party has accelerated the pace of work and this project would be completed within the stipulated period.

Sharjeel Memon said there were strict directions from PPP leadership for completing all projects on given date and time for the convenience of the people.

President Asif Ali Zardari and chairman Bilawal Bhutto wanted these projects to be completed as soon as possible, Sharjeel added. He said, “All resources are being utilized for the purpose and work was in progress at Red Line project.”

“No negligence on the quality of the construction work of the project will be tolerated,” Memon warned. Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the CM Sindh already issued directions for the relocation of underground utility lines at site of the project and release of the required funds.

He said, “In the first phase of the project, the work of the underpass has been completed in a short period of two months and only the shuttering has to be opened in that regard.” He said, “The Red Line BRT is the best project to provide travel facilities to the people of the city, while the Sindh Government is also working with the World Bank on the Yellow Line BRT.” Sharjeel said that the Sindh government was planning to launch electronic taxi service in the city, while ‘Pink Electronic Taxi’ service, having women drivers will also be started for ladies.

In response to a question, Memon said that in 2018, an ‘incompetent person’ was imposed on the country, which created problems and the process of development was stopped whereas now the country was on the path of development.  He said that on the directions of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the construction of over 2.1 million houses for the flood victims of 2022 was underway and would be completed soon and be handed over to the affectees.  He said, “All houses will be solarized as per the vision of PPP leadership.” In response to a question, Sharjeel Inam Memon said, “The Sindh government has spent two billion rupees on the Thar coal project and the electricity generated from Thar coal is added to the national grid, which is benefiting the people of the entire country.” Earlier, the Minister visited route of the Red Line BRT and provincial Secretary Transport Asad Zamin and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday said that the work on the Red Line BRT was continue day and night. He said that the construction of the Red Line BRT Tipu Sultan underpass had been completed, with only the shattering work remaining, which would be finished in four days.  The Tipu Sultan Underpass on Malir-Cantt Road, along with its adjacent road, would be officially opened to the public on October 31.

Talking to media persons during his visit to the site, the Minister said this project would significantly benefit the citizens of Karachi and the provision of good travel facilities to the people of the city was the top priority of the Sindh government.

He said that the Red Line BRT would be Pakistan’s first BRT system to operate on biogas-powered V-buses, with a route spanning 26 kilometers. He explained that while such work in rural areas would had been completed long ago, urban projects face delays due to various obstacles and utilities.

As soon as the People’s Party government assumed power, they accelerated work on the previously stalled project. The pace of work was now rapid, and all resources were being utilized to ensure the project’s timely completion. He emphasized that no compromise on the quality of the project would be tolerated.

Sharjeel Inam Memon said that two months ago, the contractor had promised to complete the work on the Tipu Sultan underpass and its adjacent road. Today, after two months, the work has been completed. He also mentioned that the Department of Transport, with the support of the World Bank, was beginning work on the Yellow Line BRT.

He stated that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced the world’s largest project, involving the construction of 2.1 million new houses for the flood victims of Sindh. He added that this project was progressing rapidly, with houses already being handed over to the people. Very soon, all 2.1 million houses would be provided to the flood victims.

He said that the Department of Energy was working on providing the cheapest electricity to homes in Sindh through solarization. He also noted that the concept of the Thar Coal project, introduced by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was implemented by President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

In response to a question, the Senior Minister said that the Sindh government has invested $2 billion in the Thar Coal project.

To another question, Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the power generated from Thar Coal is directly supplied to the National Grid.