Second phase of Green Line BRT project to be completed within a year, says Minister Ahsan Iqbal

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, announced on Monday that the second phase of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Karachi will be completed within a year. The minister made the announcement during a briefing visit to the Green Line site, where he emphasized the need for development to proceed without compromising the city’s historic structures or cultural heritage.

The second phase, valued at Rs5.5 billion and spanning 1.8 kilometers, had faced delays due to legal issues that have now been resolved. The first phase of the Green Line project, costing Rs29 billion, was completed under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while the second phase was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that three new stations are being developed under the second phase of the project. He called for strong coordination among the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL), and other relevant departments to ensure smooth project execution. The Sindh Chief Minister has assured full cooperation and plans to address KMC’s concerns with the Karachi mayor, including issues related to NOCs, service road diversions, and water line relocations.

In addition to the Green Line project, the minister also discussed other major infrastructure initiatives. He confirmed that the federal government will fully fund the K-IV water project, which was initially a joint venture with the Sindh government. The federal government is also working on synchronizing key projects like the K-IV, N-25, and the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway to improve urban connectivity.

Ahsan Iqbal further revealed that feasibility studies are underway with Chinese partners to remodel the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway. Construction on the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway will soon resume with support from international banks, after delays attributed to previous leadership. The N-25 Highway project is also under federal consideration to improve connectivity between Sindh and Balochistan.

The minister also addressed the political situation in Azad Kashmir, stating that both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had expressed reservations about the coalition government but decided to move to the opposition benches following the no-confidence vote. He reiterated that the federal government remains committed to inclusive governance and the efficient implementation of development projects through PIDCL.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal was accompanied by Sindh Minister for Planning and Development Jam Khan Shoro, MNA Syed Amin ul Haque, and project officials.