Authorities have terminated the contract for a key section of the Bus Rapid Transit Red Line in Karachi due to persistent delays and unsatisfactory work. In a statement, TransKarachi confirmed that the decision affects Lot 2, which covers the Mosamiyat to Numaish corridor.
The move followed concerns raised by a delegation from the Asian Development Bank during a recent site visit. Officials highlighted slow progress, substandard work quality, and issues related to health, safety, and environmental compliance. Consequently, authorities initiated formal proceedings to finalize the termination of the agreement.
Meanwhile, district officials sealed the contractor’s office linked to Lot 2, with police deployed to secure the premises. Sources indicated that dissatisfaction expressed by the ADB delegation played a significant role in prompting the action.
Furthermore, the Red Line project, launched in 2022, originally carried a completion timeline of 30 months. However, repeated delays have pushed the project well beyond its June 2024 deadline, with no confirmed completion date as of 2026.
In addition, the project consists of two major segments: Lot 1, extending from Airport signal to Mosamiyat, and Lot 2, from Mosamiyat to Numaish. Notably, Lot 2 has faced recurring challenges, including financial disputes that previously halted construction and required court intervention.
As a result, residents continue to experience traffic congestion and disrupted routes due to ongoing construction setbacks. Authorities now aim to resolve contractual issues and accelerate progress.
