Misery ‘almost over’ for University Road commuters, says minister

KARACHI: Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon declared on Sunday that the challenges faced by University Road commuters were "almost over". He made this statement during a media interaction following the inauguration of the Mosamiyat flyover, a crucial part of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project. Memon had previously pledged in August that the government would render University Road "100 per cent motorable" by September 15.

On Sunday, he clarified that the 2.7-kilometre stretch where K-IV augmentation lines were being laid would take an additional month to finish.

Accompanied by Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Memon unveiled a mixed lane on University Road and highlighted the obstacles the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) encountered during the project. When asked about the delay in the Red Line completion, Memon attributed it to unforeseen issues, expressing regret to the public for the delay in the BRT project. He assured the citizens that the Mosamiyat flyover would be opened to the public from the following day.

Memon noted that construction contracts had been awarded two years prior, but during this duration, the nation faced high inflation. The dollar appreciated, cement rates surged, and petrol prices rose, yet the project proceeded unabated. He praised his team for their diligent efforts and commended their speed in completing the work. The BRT Red Line, including station construction, was progressing swiftly, he added. The PPP government's primary objective was to provide commuters with the best travel facilities.

Karachi's two primary issues, water and traffic, were under scrutiny, and the government was committed to addressing both, Memon stated. He urged citizens to contribute to alleviating traffic congestion, emphasizing that the government's role was to work and refrain from engaging in blame games. Political parties also bore responsibility, he suggested, by not only organizing sit-ins but also ensuring the public's convenience.