KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced that Karachi needs 15,000 buses to meet its daily commuting demand, unveiling a comprehensive Karachi Transport Master Plan developed in collaboration with the World Bank.
The ambitious plan will integrate Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, metro light rail, and the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway, providing modern and sustainable mobility solutions for millions of residents.
During a meeting at CM House with a World Bank delegation led by Ibrahim Khalil Zaki, Shah described the institution as “a vital development partner.” He stressed that the initiative goes far beyond the Yellow Line BRT, with the introduction of electric buses as a major climate-friendly breakthrough.
Zaki assured full technical and financial support from the World Bank, noting that the project will include multiple transport modes such as BRTs, metro rail, tourist trains, and goods trains, alongside the Circular Railway. He also emphasized the importance of building a transport industry hub in Karachi to meet citywide and national demand.
In response, Shah offered Dhabeji as the central hub for this industry and pledged full support to investors. A joint working group of the Sindh government and World Bank representatives will now draft the Terms of Reference for experts to finalize the plan.
Calling it “big news for Karachi,” Shah said the project lays the foundation for long-term, sustainable mobility solutions.
Highlighting progress on the Yellow Line BRT, Shah revealed the 21-kilometre corridor, stretching from Dawood Chowrangi to Khalid Bin Waleed Road, will carry 300,000 passengers daily once completed by December 2025. The project is being financed jointly by the Sindh government, the World Bank, and the private sector.
Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon added that construction milestones are being met: Depot 1 has reached 10% completion, Depot 2 is at 17% with delivery due by September 2026, while steady progress continues on the Jam Sadiq Bridge segment.
Terming the initiative a milestone in sustainable urban mobility, Shah reaffirmed his government’s commitment to delivering the project on time with international cooperation.
