Karachi, April 26, 2026 — Construction work on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line Lot 2 has resumed on University Road, with Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) taking over the project, Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced on Sunday.
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Wahab said Murad Ali Shah has set a 90-day deadline for completing the mixed traffic corridor and drainage system, as authorities aim to fast-track progress on the long-delayed project.
According to sources, FWO has been assigned work on the mixed traffic lanes of Red Line Lot 2, while the main corridor contract for the segment has yet to be awarded.
The development follows the cancellation of the previous contract for Lot 2 — which spans the Mosamiyat to Numaish corridor — due to persistent delays and poor performance by the contractor.
Earlier, Asian Development Bank (ADB) had raised concerns over the slow pace and quality of work during a recent inspection. The delegation also highlighted issues related to health, safety, and environmental compliance, prompting authorities to initiate formal proceedings to terminate the agreement.
Officials said the contractor’s office linked to the project was sealed by district authorities, while ADB’s dissatisfaction played a key role in accelerating government action.
Launched in 2022 with a planned completion timeline of 30 months, the BRT Red Line project was originally scheduled for completion by June 2024. However, repeated delays, financial disputes, and construction setbacks pushed the project significantly behind schedule.
The project is divided into two segments: Lot 1, from Airport Signal to Mosamiyat, and Lot 2, from Mosamiyat to Numaish. The latter has faced the most significant execution challenges.
Residents of Karachi continue to face traffic congestion and disruptions due to the stalled work, with authorities now aiming to expedite construction and restore normal traffic flow.
