Sindh Govt, World Bank to Develop Comprehensive Karachi Transport Master Plan

Staff Reporter

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced that the Sindh government, in collaboration with the World Bank, will develop a comprehensive Karachi Transport Master Plan to address the city’s long-standing traffic and mobility challenges.

The Master Plan aims to integrate multiple modes of transport, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, metro light rail, and the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway, offering modern, sustainable, and climate-friendly transport solutions for the metropolis.

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting at CM House attended by a World Bank delegation led by Ibrahim Khalil Zaki, Practice Manager for Transport in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. Senior World Bank officials, including Georges Bianco, Frederico Ferreira, Papa Modou, and Magalie, were also present. CM Shah was joined by Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Planning Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and other senior provincial officials.

Master Plan: A Multi-Modal Approach

CM Shah described the World Bank as a “vital development partner” and stressed that Karachi needs at least 15,000 buses to meet daily transport demand. While existing BRT corridors are crucial, they must be complemented by metro rail systems, circular railway, tourist trains, and goods trains. The introduction of electric buses was highlighted as a key climate-friendly initiative.

Mr. Zaki assured full technical and financial support from the World Bank and underscored the importance of developing a local transport industry, which CM Shah offered to establish at Dhabeji as a dedicated industrial hub.

BRT Yellow Line Progress

Discussing the ongoing Yellow Line BRT project, CM Shah and Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon provided updates:

• Stretching 21 km from Dawood Chowrangi to Khalid Bin Waleed Road.
• Includes 21 at-grade stations, four underpasses, four elevated stations, eight flyovers, and three underground stations.
• Expected to carry 300,000 passengers daily upon completion in December 2025.

Current progress includes:

• Depot 1: 10% completion
• Depot 2: 17% completion, expected by September 2026
• Jam Sadiq Bridge segment: significant progress

Additional packages covering corridor works and off-corridor improvements are under review or in final design stages.

A Milestone for Karachi

CM Shah emphasised that the Yellow Line and forthcoming transport projects would modernise Karachi’s urban mobility, calling the partnership with the World Bank “big news for Karachi” and a milestone toward sustainable, long-term transport solutions.