Mayor Karachi gets presentation of BRT Underground Bus Station

F.P. Report

KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar said BRT Green Line Project was an important mass transit project of the city and its completion would provide better travel facilities to citizens.

Underground bus station and subway designed for BRT at Numaish Chowrangi is the first of its kind facility in Pakistan that has been planned for city of Karachi. Owing to the importance and necessity for the city of this project, KMC is providing all possible support and cooperation to the consultant firm and the KIDC.

He said this while chairing a meeting in his office during which he was given a detailed presentation on the revised plan and design of the underground portion of the BRT Green Line project which also comprised a wider bus station and sub way for the passengers.

The chief engineer of KIDC Nisar Sario and director consultant firm Tanvir Ahmed informed the Mayor about salient features and revised plan of the project with the help of digital simulation and maps.

Chairman Works Committee Hassan Naqvi, Chairman Parks Committee Khurram Farhan, Mayor Karachi advisor Farhat Khan, Director General Works Shahab Anwer, Sr. Director Coordination Masood Alam, director technical to Mayor S.M Shakaib, Chief Engineer Taha and other officers were also present on this occasion.

During the meeting it was informed that the underground bus station project has now a revised cost of Rs2400m whereas it was estimated as Rs800m with the old design. The half a kilometer tunnel would be fully covered and have a width of 30meters. Six lanes will be available in the bus station for passing and parking vehicles also. The project would also have drainage pumps, fire fighting system, emergency exit and ventilation system. The bus operator would have to maintain this station who would charge per kilometer fair from passengers. Government will have to pay for subsidy initially in this project.

Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar said approval has been granted already for establishment of bus station for the Green Line near Eidgah at M.A Jinnah Road and relocation of Palm trees from Numaish Roundabout.  The revised plan should be implemented in such a way that surrounding traffic flow could be maintained and parking facilities made available. He said M.A Jinnah Road is the central artery of Karachi and thousands of vehicles at a time plying on it, therefore route for BRT Green Line could be made elevated or underground wherever it required.

He said it is good that importance of heritage buildings has been taken into consideration, however this project holds importance for the city and therefore it should complete on time.

He also directed concerned officials to ensure full and proper cooperation to the KIDC so that this project could be finished soon.