KARACHI: The Sindh government on Tuesday suggested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to set up a camp office in Karachi, where the financial institution was funding several development projects of the provincial government.

The suggestion came from Sindh Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who chaired a meeting at his residence with a delegation of the ADB.

“The ADB camp office in Karachi would strengthen coordination to resolve day-to-day issues and obstacles in Pakistan’s first biogas public transport project (BRT Red Line project) so that it could be completed on time,” a statement issued after the meeting quoted minister as saying.

The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing infrastructure development work of the BRT Red Line being carried out with cooperation of the ADB from Model Colony to Numaish traffic intersection.

The meeting discussed in detail the construction of the bus depot and biogas plant including solutions to the obstacles and problems in the project.

Talking to the delegation, Mr Memon said that the Sindh government takes 100 per cent ownership of the BRT Red Line project. He added that the project is under construction in the densely populated area of Karachi, in which there are installations of many utility agencies.

However, the Sindh government is committed to remove all obstacles in the project.

The provincial minister apprised the delegation that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had handed over the land to TransKarachi for the construction of a bus depot in Aladdin Park, while the piece of land had been allocated for the construction of a biogas plant in cattle colony.

The people of Karachi want BRT Red Line facility to be available to them as soon as possible.

The delegation assured that ADB will continue to extend technical support and cooperation to the transport department for completion of the Pakistan’s first environment friendly public transport project.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2023