KARACHI: Enough is enough for the commuters of Karachi. Off budget funds have been released by the Sindh cabinet today to save the troubled project from collapse. It will now be the responsibility of the Frontier Works Organization to complete the project within 90 days.
This was after the original contractor of the joint venture had been dismissed due to consistent tardiness and continuous non-conformity. For those millions of people that use University Road on a daily basis, this news is received cautiously with great anticipation and also suspicion.
Why the Red Line BRT Project Failed to Keep Up with the Schedule
The Red Line BRT Project has proved to be a disappointment ever since the commencement of its construction process. Half-done constructions, torn roads, and machines halted in their tracks have become an all-too-common sight in Karachi. Moreover, the university road, which is among the busiest roads in the city, has also proved to be troublesome for all concerned individuals.
This lot, Lot 2 which comprised of 12.85 kilometres from Numaish Chowrangi to Mosamiyat, was at the heart of the matter. The former contractor had a history of failing to meet deadlines and disregarding compliance requirements and thus making termination necessary.
FWO Steps In While Machinery Has Already Arrived On Site
This time around, the Sindh Cabinet did not waste any time. It immediately authorized the involvement of the Frontier Works Organization in its machinery operations through a government-to-government channel.
The FWO was swift to act. Machinery and personnel are now mobilized along the route of the Red Line BRT Project, with construction having started just after the cabinet meeting. The three-month period now includes of mixed traffic lanes, underpasses, overpasses, and essential drainage networks along University Road.
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The 90-Day Challenge the Red Line BRT Project Can Ill Afford to Fail
90 days is quite a challenging goal, but considering how badly the project has fared historically, no one will deny the difficulty of its deadlines. Nevertheless, owing to the excellent track record of the FWO in building such mega-infrastructure projects, it sounds reasonable enough.
After its completion, the corridor will totally transform the concept of public transport in a major part of Karachi. The people who are expected to benefit the most from the construction are the students of different universities that exist on University Road, the office employees, and the workers. Karachi cannot afford for another contractor to botch up this project.
Completion of the Red Line BRT Project for Karachi
Red Line BRT Project has not only comprised buses but also other things from the very beginning. It has always been the promise to fulfill the need of having an efficient and cost-effective transportation network in a city that had been lacking this facility for decades.
Provided that FWO performs within a 90-day period, the project can move from a symbol of dysfunctional civic affairs to one of success. However, all this will happen only provided the plan is executed and Karachi knows from its bitter experience never to declare victory until the ribbon cutting ceremony takes place.
