THE Karachi Circular Railway is being discussed again. It seems that the project, or, rather, the hopes of it, are revived every few years. On every occasion, it is presented as a game-changer for Karachi’s transportation woes; a panacea for all that ails the burgeoning megalopolis. Quite unfortunately, it has not progressed beyond mere paperwork and presentations, as is the case with many of the grand development projects promised for the city. How much can be expected this time, then, as it is presented to the Asian Development Bank for consideration, remains a valid question. The KCR was once billed as a landmark project under CPEC, and then repackaged for a possible public-private partnership. It was most recently considered for a joint project between the federal and Sindh governments. Officials cite “technical snags and bureaucratic delays” as the reasons it never took off. Apparently, the Sindh government now believes the ADB may be able to deliver where all others have failed.

“With ADB’s technical and financial support, we can transform Karachi’s mass transit system and provide affordable, safe transport to millions,” the Sindh chief minister is reported to have told a visiting delegation. However, there are many significant challenges that will need to be overcome even if the ADB agrees to take it on. The path allocated to the old circular railway, for example, has become heavily encroached in many areas. These encroachments seem all but impossible to clear, given past legal and social challenges in getting squatters to evict. The city has also grown considerably since the old tracks were laid, and it seems that the KCR will need to be expanded if it is to serve the city adequately. Perhaps it is time the Sindh government returned to the drawing board and came up with a new, improved plan for Karachi. Starting anew might even help the government avoid some of the old challenges it has faced.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2026