Karachi BRT Red Line work slows again as disputes and pipeline work delay progress

KARACHI: Work on Karachi’s Bus Rapid Transit Red Line has again slowed to almost a halt, with extensive portions of the route appearing inactive and little visible progress on the ground, raising renewed concerns about management and oversight of the project.

The Red Line project has been divided into two main sections. Lot 1 runs from Airport signal to Mosamiyat, while Lot 2 extends from Mosamiyat to Numaish. Of the two segments, Lot 2 is larger and has faced more persistent and serious problems.

Construction on Lot 2 had already remained suspended for several months last year because of financial disagreements between the contractor and the authorities. The dispute had escalated to the point of court intervention before payments were cleared.

Although officials had said the issue had been settled, work on the project has once again slowed considerably.

Visible slowdown along key stretches

From People’s Chowrangi, the site presents signs of inactivity, with machinery absent from the area. Further along the route toward Hassan Square, only a small number of labourers and about three machines could be seen, but no active work was under way.

On the Hasan Square to Nipa section, construction has been stopped because of the laying of the K-IV water pipeline, adding to delays already affecting the mass transit scheme. Even in places where machinery was present, none of it appeared to be operating, and no drivers or active construction activity were visible.

The repeated interruptions and the absence of steady progress on one of Karachi’s major urban transport projects have led to fresh questions over administrative efficiency and supervision.

Commuters continue to face disruption

The slowdown has also continued to affect residents of the city, who are dealing with disrupted travel routes, traffic congestion and prolonged uncertainty over when the project will be completed.

The latest slowdown comes despite earlier assurances that the financial issues affecting the project had been resolved. With Lot 2 continuing to face recurring obstacles, the pace of work remains a matter of concern for commuters and observers alike.

The Karachi BRT Red Line is one of the city’s major transport initiatives, but the latest conditions on the ground indicate that progress remains uneven, particularly on the larger Mosamiyat-to-Numaish section.