This is with reference to the news item, “Sindh department in bid to grab KCR project” (June 30). The KCR project does not seem to go anywhere without any results.

Dawn's editorial of September, 28, 2004, “Reviving the KCR”, mentioned that the KCR had been included in the 1991 Master Plan of Karachi. That is it is about 20 years old now.

There seems to be a 'tussle for supervision' on this project, as if it is finally going to be constructed. And the tussle is said to be between the Transport Department and the Pakistan Railways. This tussle may continue to delay this project which could be another 20 years! The Japanese soft loan will eventually be diverted.

Seeing the way the project has been handled so far, the Japanese government may be surprised at the indifference and at the incompetence of the concerned authorities.

These government authorities do not appear to have any concern about a million commuters who continue to suffer in the absence of the KCR.

The first step is to appoint a CEO on this project from the private sector. Next is to make a public-private partnership company (PPP) to be named “Karachi Metro”. This would stop the interference from ministers and the Pakistan Railways.

The PPP company should be given a mission to complete the project in phases according to a committed schedule and construction plan. And the CEO should be assigned the responsibility to generate funds for this project and utilise them accordingly; and if he does not, he should be fired for his incompetence and another competent person appointed.

Let us see something concrete instead of empty words and loose talk. Let us show the world that we can make a change.

Engr. A. Rahim
Karachi