KARACHI: The Sindh government has terminated the construction contract of a key segment of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project in Karachi, citing prolonged delays, poor performance, and violations of safety and environmental standards.
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According to a statement issued by TransKarachi, the contract awarded to the CR3 and AMS Associates joint venture for Lot 2 of the project has been officially ended due to “continuous delays, non-satisfactory performance, and violations of health, safety, and environmental standards.”
The affected section includes the Mosmiyat to Numaish corridor, where progress was found to be significantly below required benchmarks during recent inspections. TransKarachi said compliance issues were also identified in occupational health and safety practices at the construction sites.
The decision follows concerns raised by a delegation of the Asian Development Bank, which reportedly flagged serious shortcomings in contractor performance, work pace, and adherence to safety protocols during a recent visit.
Authorities said formal procedures are underway to complete the termination process. The provincial government reiterated its commitment to ensuring timely completion of major infrastructure projects, along with stricter monitoring and accountability mechanisms moving forward.
The BRT Red Line is one of Karachi’s largest public transport initiatives, aimed at improving urban mobility along a key corridor of the city. The project was initially launched in phases in 2022, with an expected completion timeline of 2024, which was later extended to 2026 due to delays.
The multi-million-dollar project is estimated at approximately $503.3 million. Financing includes contributions from international development partners such as the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Green Climate Fund, while the Sindh government is covering the remaining share.
Officials say new arrangements for completing the affected segment will be announced after procedural and contractual formalities are finalized.
