Utility organizations are cooperating, the issue of new rates of construction materials of contractors has been resolved, work has been speeded up, GM Trans Karachi, safety measures are poor, Dr. Nawaz. Photo: File
Karachi: The Red Line project is likely to be delayed due to relocation of utility lines, disputes over rates with contractors, delays in construction work, encroachments, parking and other reasons.
According to the plan, the corridor of this project is to be completed in August 2024, but now in view of the current situation, this project will be completed in 2025. I have to be completed.
The project is being constructed from Model Colony to Tower via University Road, MA Jinnah Extension Road, Exhibition Chowrangi.
It should be noted that the Asian Development Bank will provide 235 million dollars, the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank will provide 71.81 million dollars and the French Development Agency will provide 71.81 million dollars for the Red Line bus project.
The Green Claims Fund will provide $49 million in funding, including $11.8 million in grants and $37.2 million in loans. Sindh government is also providing funds in this project.
The concerned officers of the provincial transport department said on condition of anonymity that the contractors had stopped the development work on some components in the last two months due to the increase in the rates due to the increase in construction materials due to which the overall project was delayed. However, the dispute has now been resolved and development work is underway on all components.
He said that the movement of water tankers and parking on the road, parking of cars and motorcycles at different places on the University Road would have affected the development work due to the encroachments on the University Road, especially the Nipa water hydrants and the hydrants on Safora Chowrangi. Is.
Sacrificial animals were kept on the right-of-way of the project in front of the District Municipal Corporation East Office and a small livestock market was also set up in the adjacent area. Dala, which was resolved, but the construction work here was affected for some days.
The concerned officers said that the relocation of utility lines is also a big issue, a 36-inch water line burst during excavation in front of University of Karachi in the past few days, which was repaired and the construction work there had to be stopped. The corridor has underground water and sewage pipelines, electricity, gas and telecommunication lines which have to be moved from time to time.
Regional Planner Dr. Nawaz Al Huda while talking to The Express Tribune said that the safety measures in the Red Line project are poor, large-scale development work is being done and there is no lighting arrangement at night, the road on the University Road is wide and Some places become narrow, although barriers are placed at these places, but due to lack of good lighting, accidents may occur, better alternative routes are not given for traffic.
He said that the university road has become dilapidated from various places but it has not been made motorable due to which the traffic flow is affected, the crossing which has been constructed near the expo center is very dangerous and not according to traffic engineering. There is a risk of accidents due to
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Trans Karachi General Manager Pir Sajjad denied that the development work was halted in March-April, but admitted that the pace of work had slowed down due to the contractors’ demand for rate hike. It was slow.
He said that the issue has been resolved and the contractors have been assured that their demands will be considered and the rates will be increased after the approval of the concerned bodies.
Pir Sajjad said that now the development work is going on at full speed, Trans Karachi is taking safety measures vigorously. , reflector tapes were installed on the New Jersey Barrier in places for illumination.
He said that the transfer of utility lines is going on regularly and this affects the development work a little, all the utility organizations are fully cooperating, the Municipal Corporation of Karachi is also fully cooperating to remove the encroachments. The potholes on the roads are quickly filled and made motorable, but there is room for improvement and the organization is trying to ensure that the flow of traffic is not affected anywhere, Trans Karachi is doing everything in consultation with the traffic police.
He said that the university road has two lanes only at those places where the stations are being constructed, but at most places the road has three to four lanes.
In response to a question regarding the delay in the completion of the project, Pir Sajjad maintained a cautious attitude and after being asked several times, he said that according to the time frame of the project, construction of the corridor is 2024 and import and operational of buses is 2025. However, given the current situation, the corridor will also be completed by 2025 and will become operational in the same year with the arrival of buses.
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