Sharjeel Inam Memon, Senior Minister of Sindh and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, has said that continuing work on the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project despite multiple economic challenges was a crucial decision for the province.
Speaking to the media during a review visit of the Red Line BRT development works, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the project had reached a stage where suspension was under consideration due to escalating costs caused by inflation, economic slowdown, currency depreciation and a sharp rise in cement prices.
“It was a difficult decision whether to continue or halt the project,” he said, adding that the Sindh government ultimately decided to proceed, considering it a long-term investment for the next 40 to 50 years.
Sharjeel Inam Memon emphasized that the Red Line BRT is being developed for future generations to address Karachi’s growing traffic congestion and expanding population. He noted that 99 percent of the project’s expenditure is allocated to infrastructure, while only a small portion is spent on buses and rolling stock.
He clarified that delays in certain components were due to financial and logistical challenges rather than negligence or misconduct. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the Sindh government is directly overseeing the project to ensure transparency and timely completion.
He directed that issues on roads alongside the corridor be resolved before Eid, particularly on University Road. A 2.7-kilometer stretch affected by water board augmentation work is expected to be completed by April. Key sections on University Road and Jinnah Avenue are likely to be finalized within two to three months, while some remaining BRT work may require up to 18 months.
Highlighting other ongoing mega projects in Karachi, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Expressway will be completed up to Quaidabad by late March or early April and later extended to the M-9 motorway, significantly easing traffic congestion. Several underpasses and internal road rehabilitation projects are also underway to improve urban mobility.
Regarding newly imported buses, Sharjeel Inam Memon said customs clearance issues have delayed their release at the port for the past two to three months. The Sindh government has requested that federal authorities apply the same one percent customs duty reportedly extended to Punjab, instead of the 18 percent being charged to Sindh.
Responding to a political question, he said he was unaware of when former Prime Minister Imran Khan would be released, stating that the matter lies with the legal system. He expressed prayers for Imran Khan’s health during Ramadan and emphasized the need for political discourse to remain within ethical and legal limits.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon reiterated that despite economic and political challenges, the Sindh government remains committed to completing development projects aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens.
