KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has reiterated that Karachi needs 15,000 buses to meet the growing demand for public transport.

He also said the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway was essential for the country’s economy and the federal government should prioritise that project and begin work on it as soon as possible.

According to a press release issued here on Thursday, the information minister was talking to a group of reporters who called on him at his office.

About transport issues, the minister, who also holds the portfolio of transport, said the Sindh government was actively purchasing double-deckers along with other buses under its Peoples Bus Service (PBS) programme.

Regarding old buses plying on the city roads, he said that fitness certificates were being issued to such commercial vehicles. “But there are only two inspectors in Karachi, and this number is insufficient to cover all the vehicles.”

Regarding the much delayed Red Line project, he said that despite several challenges, work on the Bus Rapid Transit project was progressing.

He mentioned that the work on the BRT schemes was halted during the caretaker government, resulting in delays and difficulties for the public.

He said that to reduce traffic pressure on the Karachi’s roads, illegal bus stands had been relocated outside the city.

A command and control center has been established to monitor the Peoples Bus Service, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2024