Slow work on Green Line project affecting millions, mayor tells PM

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab wrote to the prime minister on Tuesday, seeking permission to allow heavy traffic to operate on the Lyari Expressway on Tuesday.

He also mentioned delays in the construction work of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project near Numaish. According to the letter that he shared on his Twitter (X) account as well, the Green Line BRT’s execution work by the Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Limited (SIDCL) has witnessed many snags.

He said that MA Jinnah Road is one of the most important arteries of the city, which is used by millions every day for their daily commute. Unfortunately, he said, due to the construction of the Green Line BRT, the portion of the road from Numaish Chowrangi to the Municipal Park at Jama Cloth Market is in a “terrible condition because of incomplete development work”.

The development of this portion of the Green Line BRT’s track, he said, is being executed by the SIDCL, “and its incomplete nature is greatly affecting the commute of millions”. The mayor also wrote about allowing heavy traffic, moving from Karachi’s port towards up country, to use the Lyari Expressway, which is under the control of the National Highway Authority.

The Lyari Expressway, he said, has the potential to mitigate the traffic congestion issues from the port. However, due to heavy traffic not being allowed on the expressway, he said, the entire traffic from the port goes through different roads of the city. This has resulted in traffic congestion in different portions of the city and at times people remain stuck in traffic for hours.

Wahab highlighted in his letter that his office has engaged with the consultants of the project, who have confirmed that the Lyari Expressway was constructed to cater to the needs of heavy traffic. “Therefore, its underutilization needs to be addressed at the earliest,” he wrote.

He requested the prime minister to take up the issue with the concerned agencies so that the pressing issues of traffic congestion in Karachi could be resolved.