KARACHI, Dec 5: The Sindh government has prepared an urban transport policy which is being discussed at various forums and is expected to be ratified shortly.

The policy includes reconstitution of the provincial and regional transport authorities or, if required, reorientation and even dissolution and merger into new structure, with increased public representation.

The policy also includes route rationalisation; improved fare regulation; operational and safety standards; more responsive route permit policies and improved access to financing with transport service provision remaining with the private sector.

This would improve access to jobs in urban and rural areas, including those for women. The concerned authorities have reportedly agreed on frequent adjustments in fare structure following deregulation of fuel prices.

A draft of terms of references and PC-II has been prepared to update the Karachi Transport Plan. This exercise will be coordinated with the updating of an overall Karachi Master Plan, which will be the responsibility of Karachi District Physical Planning Agency, being created shortly, official sources said.

The structure and mandate of Karachi District Planning Group of Offices under the Karachi City District are yet to be evolved.

The KDPP is envisaged to be the successor agency of Karachi Development Authority and will be responsible for evolving strategic plans to optimise on the available potentials and resources of the city district to guide its growth and development.

The government has already devolved all urban transport functions at the Karachi city level to the City Government. A Transport and Communication Group of offices has been created for planning, regulation, traffic management etc.—PPI