KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly was informed on Tuesday that the biogas plant under the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project would supply gas to other sectors, since the project had been switched to electric buses.

Furnishing a statement during Question Hour, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who also holds the portfolios of information, transport and mass transit, said that the biogas plant would also be set up under the same project, with the gas produced now earmarked for the industrial sector.

He said that while hybrid buses were initially proposed, the plan was later revised in favour of EVs. “Now the gas to be generated from the biogas plant will not be used to run buses,” he added.

The senior minister said a study for the project was ongoing and that tenders were expected next month. “The cost will be determined once bids are received,” he added.

Sharjeel says electric buses to be introduced on BRT routes under revised plan

He said that as part of the Red Line project, the provincial government planned to introduce electric buses through a public-private partnership.

“The government will provide land for 500 EV buses, along with charging infrastructure and depot space at all operating locations,” he added.

Memon said that work on the Red Line continued with backing from the Asian Development Bank, though the project had faced delays and higher costs due to the appreciation of the dollar and rising construction expenses.

He said that one of the contractors was removed after refusing to proceed, and the Frontier Works Organisation took over the contract.

Brushing aside the concerns of opposition members over the inordinate delay in completion of projects, he said that work on Karachi’s public transport network was progressing across multiple projects, with a focus on expanding bus services and introducing EVs.

He, however, acknowledged that projects had faced challenges, including delays in utility transfers by K-Electric and other institutions.

He said that work on the Orange Line had been completed, while the Yellow Line was moving ahead rapidly with support from the World Bank. “Construction of depots for the Yellow Line is also underway,” he added.

Memon said that ridership on the lines now under provincial government management had grown significantly.

“The Orange Line’s daily ridership rose from 2,000 to 9,500 after the provincial government took over, while the Green Line’s ridership increased from 50,000 to 95,000 passengers per day,” he said.

To a question, he said that the Peoples Bus Service was operating successfully in Hyderabad, and a new route from Latifabad to Haider Chowk would be launched before or immediately after Eidul Azha.

The senior minister said that 29 routes were already running in Karachi, with more in development. “New services have also started on the Sukkur-Shikarpur, Khairpur-Rohri, and Khairpur-Ranipur corridors,” he added.

He said that modern bus terminals were also being constructed in Thatta, Badin, Miro Khan, and Larkana during the current financial year. “Projects for Karachi, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Kandiaro are scheduled for the next financial year.

House backs solar panel promotion

The assembly marked a rare show of sobriety from the treasury benches on Private Members’ Day as a resolution and a motion of opposition members were approved, with others withdrawn after ministers gave their assurances.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) member Sajjad Soomro’s resolution to promote the solar panel and advanced battery industry, and to legislate on the disposal of used batteries, was adopted unanimously.

The House also accepted the adjournment motion of PTI member Sajjad Ali Soomro regarding prolonged loadshedding in Liyari for discussion.

Speaker fixed a two-hour debate on the issue of loadshedding in the city on Friday, when the House will meet again.

PTI’s Shabbir Qureshi’s resolution seeking a minimum 15-year age relaxation for government jobs was rejected.

Opposing the resolution, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said that the Supreme Court had already given a ruling in this regard.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Asif Moosa moved a motion demanding an end to unannounced gas loadshedding in Baldia Town and across Karachi.

The speaker referred the motion to the house’s special committee, which will meet on Thursday (tomorrow).

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2026