THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is no secret. No single party is responsible for this state of affairs. Over the decades, successive governments, at the centre and in Sindh have, through acts of omission and commission, contributed to the situation. Seemingly, the planners ‘forgot’ that a geographically vast and populous city would one day need a mass transit system of international standards, and that commuters could not depend on a dwindling fleet of rickety buses or private transport to get around. Some remedial steps have been taken, such as the introduction of the Green Line bus system, though the project came quite late in the day, and remains incomplete. The Green Line was, after several delays, inaugurated in late 2021, while the Red Line, another rapid bus system, has yet to see the light of day.

Yet, of late, there seems to be a welcome realisation within Sindh’s corridors of power that this chaotic situation needs to be addressed. The Sindh chief minister, while talking to this paper, reiterated his intent to get the Red Line scheme chugging again. The project is at a standstill while University Road, a major city artery, has been dug up for the bus line, creating a hellscape for commuters. Cost overruns, as well as other logistical and technical bottlenecks, are said to be responsible for the halted work, indicating a lack of planning at all levels. Meanwhile, the Karachi mayor has written to the prime minister to help extend the Green Line’s route. The service enjoys high ridership, but its route remains incomplete, while a part of M.A. Jinnah Road remains dug up waiting for the scheme’s completion. Both the federal and Sindh governments must complete these schemes at the earliest, while feasible plans for other lines — such as the proposed Blue and Yellow Lines — also need to be finalised quickly.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2024