KARACHI: The board of Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) on Wednesday approved procurement of 500 electric buses and construction of a modern terminal for trucks, trailers and heavy-load vehicles on the Northern Bypass.

The meeting of the board was chaired by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and attended by Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Islam Sheikh, Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, SMTA Managing Director Salimullah Odho, DIG Traffic Peer Muhammad Shah and others.

According to a press release, the meeting discussed various projects aimed at improving urban transport systems in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

The board meeting approved the purchase of 500 EV buses under a public-private partnership model.

SMTA board greenlights purchase of 50 more double-deckers for Sindh capital

Of these, 450 buses will operate on 25 routes in Karachi, while 50 buses will run on five routes in Hyderabad.

Memon said that five modern depots for e-vehicles would be established across the province, including four in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.

He added that the next phase of EV bus services would begin in Sukkur to provide modern and environmentally friendly transport facilities to other districts of Sindh as well.

The meeting approved the purchase of 50 new double-decker buses for Karachi.

According to Memon, the introduction of double-decker buses aims to improve urban mobility and passenger flow. Each bus will have a capacity of 126 passengers, which is expected to significantly reduce pressure on public transport.

Terminal for heavy-load vehicles

Mr Memon said the Sindh government also decided to establish a terminal for heavy-load vehicles in Karachi.

In addition, a dedicated heavy-vehicle track will be developed from Karachi Port to the proposed ‘Heavy Vehicles Terminal’ to facilitate the smooth movement of heavy traffic, he added.

The minister, who holds the portfolios of information, transport and mass transit, said the project would significantly reduce the burden of heavy traffic within the city and improve the overall transport system.

The board also decided to launch an EV taxi service in Karachi soon. Approval was granted to open the financial evaluation process this month to accelerate the project’s implementation.

The meeting also approved the purchase of 500 additional e-scooties for women.

Memon stated that a new batch of pink scooties would be distributed among women in Hyderabad on Friday (tomorrow).

The meeting also approved the construction of a single-storey parking plaza in Hyderabad.

In addition, the meeting decided that all future traffic signals would be shifted to solar-powered systems.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2026