The Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) revival project has gained fresh momentum.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah met with an Asian Development Bank (ADB) delegation to secure support. This long-delayed urban transport initiative aims to ease severe traffic in Pakistan’s largest city.
Revival Agreement with ADB
The Sindh government and ADB agreed to push forward the KCR revival. CM Shah requested technical and financial assistance from the bank. ADB’s Country Director Emma Fenn supported the idea in principle.
She advised submitting required documents for formal board approval. The meeting focused on accelerating key transport projects in Sindh.
Broader Transport Modernization
Plans include launching electric bus services in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana.These aim to reduce fuel dependency and improve air quality.
KCR will act as a feeder to existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines.CM Shah called KCR a “lifeline for Karachi” beyond just transport. He highlighted benefits like lower congestion, reduced emissions, and economic growth.
A proposed $3 billion ADB pipeline for 2026-29 covers transport and other sectors. The government will submit a formal proposal for electric buses soon. This shift follows stalled past efforts, including under CPEC.