The Sindh government has announced that work on the stalled Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Karachi will likely to resume from April 25, even as the project faces legal challenges and contractor disputes.
The Information Minister of Sindh, Sharjeel Inam Memon, during an interview to local media stated that the government has taken emergency steps to restart construction after terminating the contract of Lot 2 due to unsatisfactory performance of the contractor.
“The work will start within the next 48 hours. We are engaging multiple contractors and working on an emergency basis to ensure there is no further delay,” Memon said during a televised interview on April 23, 2026.
Contract Termination of Red Line Project
The controversy intensified after the Sindh government cancelled the Lot 2 contract, citing failure to meet deadlines despite repeated warnings.
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The contractor has challenged the decision in the Sindh High Court, where notices have been issued to relevant parties including government of Sindh while the case is scheduled for hearing on April 29.
Officials also confirmed that the project office in Gulshan-e-Iqbal was sealed earlier this week, further escalating tensions between the government and the contractor.
Concerns Over Delays of Red Line project
The Red Line project, financed by the Asian Development Bank, has faced persistent delays, drawing criticism from commuters and concern from the lender over slow progress.
Memon acknowledged that both Lot 1 and Lot 2 contractors were given deadlines and targets but said the Lot 2 contractor failed to deliver.
He added that while the contractor had raised concerns regarding inflation and cost escalations, those issues were addressed through formal dispute mechanisms.
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“Despite resolving their reservations, the pace of work remained unsatisfactory, leaving the government with no choice but to terminate the contract,” he said.
Contractor’s Stance
However, the contractor has disputed the government’s claims, arguing that delays were primarily caused by late provision and approval of designs by the local authorities.
According to the contractor, key design documents were provided two to two-and-a-half years after the contract award, significantly impacting progress.
The contractor maintains that approximately 40 percent of the work had been completed, while additional delays were linked to unresolved utility relocations and incomplete designs, some of which were reportedly issued as recently as mid-April.
Red Line Project Scope and Challenges
The affected Lot 2 covers a 13-kilometer stretch from Malir Halt to Numaish. The Red Line BRT, originally scheduled for completion in 2024, has become a major source of inconvenience for daily commuters and residents, particularly along University Road.
Memon said the government is prioritizing public relief by reopening mixed traffic lanes and accelerating construction through round-the-clock work.
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“We will ensure the corridor is opened for the public as soon as possible. The public has suffered enough,” he said.
Cost Escalation Concerns
The cost of Lot 2 was initially estimated at Rs16 billion, or approximately Rs1.25 billion per kilometer. However, with delays and inflation, experts warn that costs could rise significantly, potentially aligning with newer BRT projects where per-kilometer expenses have reached around Rs3 billion.
With legal proceedings underway and new contractors yet to be finalized, the Red Line project now faces both technical and legal hurdles.
While the Sindh government is pushing for a quick restart within 48 hours, observers caution that resolving contractual disputes and completing the remaining work may take considerably longer.
