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Sindh govt cancels BRT Red Line construction contract, to re-award it on emergency basis: Sharjeel Memon
Sindh Govt Scraps BRT Red Line Contract: Projects to be Re-Awarded on Emergency Basis
ND
by News Desk
2026-04-22
Sindh govt cancels BRT Red Line construction contract, to re-award it on emergency basis: Sharjeel Memon

The Sindh government has officially pulled the plug on the contract for a major portion of Karachi’s BRT Red Line, citing unacceptable delays and poor performance.

Here is a breakdown of the situation in my own words:

Contract Termination on Lot-2

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon confirmed on Wednesday that the government has terminated the contract for the Mosamiyat to Numaish section (Lot-2). Despite the government’s attempts to accommodate the contractor—including addressing financial concerns over rising material costs—the project remained stalled. The contractor’s office has since been sealed by district authorities.

Pressure from International Lenders

A major factor in this decision was the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project’s primary financier. During a recent inspection, an ADB delegation expressed deep dissatisfaction with both the slow pace and the substandard quality of the work. They also raised serious red flags regarding health, safety, and environmental compliance at the construction sites.

New Strategy: "Emergency Basis"

To salvage the project and provide relief to frustrated commuters on University Road, the government is shifting gears:

  • Smaller Packages: Instead of one massive contract, the remaining work will be broken down into smaller, more manageable packages.

  • Multiple Contractors: These packages will be re-awarded to different firms on an emergency basis to ensure work happens simultaneously across the corridor.

The Bigger Picture

The BRT Red Line has become a symbol of infrastructure struggle in Karachi. Originally launched in 2017 with a 79 billion rupee price tag, the cost has now ballooned to 103 billion rupees. While the current completion target is set for late 2026, many experts believe this remains optimistic given the project is already years behind its original 2023 deadline.
Tagged:

#KarachiBRT #RedLineProject #SharjeelMemon #SindhGovernment #KarachiTraffic #PublicTransport #InfrastructureUpdate #BreakingNewsPakistan #UniversityRoad #TransKarachi #ADB
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