The Sindh government has initiated a renewed effort to expedite the completion of the long-delayed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line in Karachi, a critical transport project for the city. On April 27, 2026, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to resume construction on sections that had been stalled for months.
The provincial government has mandated the completion of the mixed-traffic corridor and drainage system within a 90-day period, aiming to alleviate the hardships faced by residents. This decision follows the sealing of the previous contractor’s office, leading to the project’s transfer to FWO on an emergency basis. Officials note that this urgency reflects both administrative resolve and mounting public pressure after years of delays.
Chief Minister Shah has announced that construction will continue even during Eid holidays to meet the three-month deadline. Government sources report that work on both sides of Lot II will be completed within this timeframe, with a particular focus on severely affected areas.
Special emphasis is being placed on the corridor from Numaish to Mosamiyat, where essential infrastructure such as water pipelines, service roads, and drainage lines are expected to be finalized by the end of July. These areas have been notorious for traffic congestion and commuter frustration.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed via social media that FWO resumed work on University Road starting Sunday. He reiterated that the chief minister has instructed authorities to complete the mixed-traffic corridor and drainage work within 90 days.
During a site visit, Chief Minister Shah acknowledged the delays and publicly apologized to citizens for the prolonged inconvenience. He assured that the mixed-traffic lanes, spanning approximately 12 kilometers, would be restored within three months, emphasizing that alleviating public suffering remains a top priority.
Shah further revealed that the tender for the main corridor of Lot II would be reissued. Discussions with the Director General of FWO have already taken place, with assurances that full-scale construction activity would resume within two to three days.
Launched in 2022 with an estimated cost of Rs77-80 billion, the project has seen its budget swell to over Rs103 billion. Despite the significant financial investment, progress has been slow due to disputes between the government and the previous contractor, particularly over funding and quality of work.
Over the past four years, the incomplete project has caused severe disruption to daily life in Karachi, drawing sustained criticism from the public. Social media users have frequently mocked the delays, with one viral comment noting that while global chokepoints may reopen, Karachi’s University Road remains perpetually under construction.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, April 27, 2026
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