Karachi Mayor Announces BRT Red Line Work Resumes Today

Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced on Sunday that construction work on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line along University Road has resumed. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) began restarting construction from today, according to a post on X by Wahab.

The Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, had set a 90-day deadline for completing the mixed-traffic corridor and drainage system on University Road. This was announced in a tweet that included an image of ongoing work.

Last week, the Sindh government terminated the construction contract for the project due to persistent delays, unsatisfactory performance, and violations of health, safety, and environmental standards. The contractor approached the Sindh High Court seeking de-sealing of the construction site following the provincial government’s decision to seal their office after contract termination.

The BRT Red Line project, initially designed to alleviate Karachi’s chronic traffic issues, has instead become a daily challenge for commuters. The affected segment from Safoora Chowrangi to Hasan Square is one of the most critical and heavily used parts of the 26.6-kilometre corridor. Residents have expressed concerns over safety measures as the construction continues to impede traffic flow and expose citizens to danger.