KARACHI: While all is set to start 30-kilometer Route-9 from Gulshan-i-Hadeed to Malir Cantt and Route-6 from Orangi Town to Singer Chowrangi from Wednesday (today), the launch of at least four other routes of the Sindh Peoples Bus Service in Karachi might be delayed for some time as different portions of roads destroyed during recent rains need repair and reconstruction, it emerged on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was told that the portions of the road from Ajmer Nagri to Shahrah-i-Noor Jahan needed to be renovated.

The chief minister issued directives for the repair of the road on an urgent basis so that the route would be functionalised on July 22.

Similarly, the meeting was informed that Route 4 (North Karachi to West Wharf), Route-5 from Surjani Town to Masroor Base, Route 7 from Baldia Town to Mosamiyat and Route 11 from Mosamiyat to Dolmen Mall needed reconstruction of different portions of road to make the bus service operational.

The CM directed Local Government Secretary Najam Shah to personally visit these four routes and suggest repair of the roads where needed so that they could be made operational at the earliest.

Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon informed the meeting that out of 11 routes of the bus service two had been operational and six more, including of Larkana, were being made operational within next two days, while the infrastructure of four remaining routes was being improved to start the bus service.

Reviewing the operation and issues of different routes of the bus service, the CM directed the minister to start Route-9 from Gulshan-i-Hadeed to Malir Cantt from Wednesday (today).

“The buses are available, and the route is clear, therefore, the service must be started in the public interest,” he said.

The transport minister said that the Route-1, from Malir to Tower, was operational and had attracted a large number of commuters.

He said that the road at Mehran Depot was in shambles and needed to be reconstructed so that the bus could reach Khokhrapar easily. The chief minister directed the local government minister to get the road reconstructed.

The CM was told that the Route-2 (North Karachi to Korangi Crossing) was operational but at two different locations patchwork of the road was urgently required.

The CM was told that the Route-3 (North Karachi to Nasir Jump) would be made operational on July 22. The meeting was informed that the Route-6 (Orangi Town to Singer Chowrangi) would also be operational on July 22.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2022