Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced that his government, in partnership with the World Bank, will prepare a Karachi Transport Master Plan to address the city’s longstanding mobility crisis. The plan will integrate Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, metro light rail, and the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) into a coordinated framework.
High-Level Meeting
The announcement was made during a meeting at CM House on Friday with a World Bank delegation led by Ibrahim Khalil Zaki, practice manager for transport in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. The delegation included Lead Transport Economist Georges Bianco and senior specialists Frederico Ferreira, Papa Modou, and Magalie, while Sindh ministers and senior provincial officials also attended.
CM’s Remarks and Commitments
Shah described the World Bank as a vital development partner and stressed the urgent need for modern transport systems in Karachi. He said the city required at least 15,000 buses to meet daily demand, adding that BRT corridors must be complemented with metro light rail and a revived circular railway. He also pointed to Sindh’s introduction of electric buses as a step toward climate-friendly urban mobility.
World Bank Support
Zaki assured full technical and financial assistance from the World Bank, noting that the plan would cover BRT lines, metro rail, tourist and goods trains, and the KCR. He also emphasized the need to establish a transport industry in Karachi to serve both local and national demand.
Industry and Working Group
The chief minister offered Dhabeji as a dedicated hub for developing transport-related industries and pledged full support for investors. Both sides agreed to form a joint working group of Sindh government and World Bank representatives to finalise the terms of reference and appoint transport experts to draft the master plan.
Yellow Line BRT Progress
The meeting also reviewed progress on the Yellow Line BRT, which stretches 21 kilometres from Dawood Chowrangi to Khalid Bin Waleed Road. The project includes 21 at-grade stations, four underpasses, four elevated stations, eight flyovers, and three underground stations. Once completed in December 2025, it is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.
Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon reported that construction is advancing at multiple sites, with Depot 1 at 10% completion and Depot 2 at 17%, scheduled to finish by September 2026.
