SMTA awards contract to Dar-al-Handasah joint venture nespak” for consulting services for yellow line BRTS

F.P. Report

Karachi: Government of Sindh, through Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA), Transport and Mass Transit Department (TMTD) along with the financial support of the World Bank is implementing Karachi Mobility Project – Yellow Line BRT Corridor to improve Mobility, Accessibility and Safety along the Corridor.

Karachi Mobility Project – Yellow Line BRT Corridor is a 21-KMs long corridor from Dawood Chowrangi to Numaish having 2 bus depots, 28 stations, 2 flyovers, 9 underpasses and expected ridership of 300,000 people / Day. The bus fleet proposed for Yellow BRT corridor is 268 Diesel-Hybrid Vehicles. The total cost of the project is $USD 438.9 Million. Mr. Awais Qadir Shah, Minister for Transport & Mass Transit Department announced that the Karachi Mobility Project is indeed another step forward to address the urban transport issues of the Karachi City. He further announced that due consideration has been given to uplift the entire BRT corridor from façade to façade in order to ensure systematic solution of urban infrastructure issues.

To implement the project, Sindh Mass Transit Authority awards contract to Dar-al-Handasah (Lead international Firm) joint venture NESPAK for Consulting Services for Preparation of Detailed Design, Procurement Support and Construction Supervision of Karachi Mobility Project – Yellow Line BRT Corridor. Mr. Rabah – Area Coordinator – Dar-al-Handasah and Project Director, KMP, Mr. Imran Bhatti signed the contract. The Project Director, Mr. Imran Bhatti said “this is a vital step forward for the development of the project and people of Karachi will soon witness a bus rapid transit system which will provide a safe and reliable transport system”.

The lead-firm Dar-al-Handasah founded in 1956 is a privately-owned international consulting company active in engineering, architecture, planning, environmental consulting, project and construction management, facilities management, and economics. Joint Venture Company, NESPAK enjoys the reputation of being one of the top engineering consultancy organizations in Asia and Africa. NESPAK was established in 1973 as a private limited company by the Government of Pakistan.

The project will benefit approximately 700,000 people and improve mobility, transit travel times, safety, reliability and passenger facilities along the corridor. It would address the transportation needs of expansive population, employment growth, transportation and economic development initiatives.