KARACHI: As a major relief and incentive for the students of Sindh, new provincial Minister for Transport Syed Owais Qadir Shah on Wednesday announced a 50 per cent discount in fares for their travelling in public and private transport. The initiative would be launched in Thar, Mithi and Umerkot and would be expanded across the province gradually.

While talking to reporters after visiting sites of under-construction bus line services — Green Line, Orange Line and Yellow Line — the minister said the programme for the relief of students had already been launched by issuing a notification in that regard for Mithi, Thar and Umerkot. The students of these areas would need to show their student cards or prove their identity to avail the 50pc discount in fares, he said.

“The transporters who defy the set rules would face action if any complaint with evidence is received,” he said. “The programme is aimed at facilitating the students of Sindh. We have launched this facility from small cities and soon you would see more cities join the list, including Karachi and Hyderabad. In case of violation of government orders, the students are appealed to register their complaints with the local transport department, which would take action against the respective transporters.”

He also alleged that the federal government was not releasing funds for the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit project, which had stalled its progress. The project, he said, was almost 80 per cent ready but due to the lethargic attitude of the federal government, Karachiites had been suffering for long.

Launched in February 2016, the Rs17 billion federal government-funded bus project was announced to be completed in a year with 18.4 kilometres dedicated track, including an 11km elevated section. The project — approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council — is being executed by the Karachi Infrastructure Development Company.

Starting from the Powerhouse Chowrangi in Surjani Town, the bus service will now terminate at Merewether Tower after passing through Nagan Chowrangi, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gurumandir, with more than 20 stations on its route to cater to 300,000 passengers daily. However, as work on the project and other bus lines continues, Karachiites have few options of commuting in the sprawling metropolis.

“It has been quite unfortunate that when it comes to any project in Sindh, the federal government is always seen treating it as the last priority. The federal government-funded projects in other parts of the country never see such hiccups. However, we in the Sindh government have some good news for the people of Karachi in the transport sector. We would soon announce them,” said the minister.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2018

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