Misery ‘almost over’ for University Road commuters, says minister

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University Road, Karachi. —Dawn/File
University Road, Karachi. —Dawn/File

KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Sunday said the difficulties faced by the commuters on University Road were “almost over”.

He said this while talking to the media after inaugurating the Mosamiyat flyover, an important component of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project, here.

Earlier in August, Mr Memon had promised that the government would make University Road “100 per cent motorable” by Sept 15.

On Sunday, he said the work would take another month or so to complete on the 2.7-kilometre stretch of University Road, where the K-IV augmentation lines were being laid.

Sharjeel says work on 2.7-km-long stretch to be completed soon; inaugurates Mosamiyat flyover

Accompanied by Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, he said a mixed lane had been constructed on University Road and the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) also faced several challenges during the work.

In response to a question, Mr Memon said that the delay in completion of Red Line was no one’s negligence as there were certain problems and matters due to which delays occurred. He apologised to the public for the delay in the BRT project.

He said that the Mosamiyat flyover would be opened for the public from Tuesday (tomorrow).

He said construction contracts were awarded two years ago, but during this period, the country was hit by high inflation. First, the dollar appreciated, then cement rates increased, followed by a rise in petrol prices. Despite inflation and rising costs, work on the project continued, he added.

“Our entire team worked hard for the completion of the project, and I am proud of them for the speed at which the work was completed,” he said.

He said work on the BRT Red Line, including construction of stations, was going on rapidly.

He said providing the public with the best travelling facilities was the top priority of the PPP government.

He said Karachi’s two major problems are water and traffic, and work is under way to resolve both. The public should also play its part in easing traffic congestion, he said.

He said the government’s job is to work and not engage in blame games. Political parties also have a responsibility; their job is not only to stage sit-ins but also to save the public from inconvenience.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

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