During his one-day visit to Karachi, Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the much-anticipated Green Line Bus Service project’s trial operation.
The inauguration was place at Numaish Chowrangi, the Green Line project’s primary station. He launched the first phase of the Karachi Transformation Plan’s hybrid bus project.
The premier stated during the inauguration ceremony that no city can grow without a modern transportation system.
“Without a modern transportation infrastructure, no modern metropolis can function […], and Karachi is Pakistan’s growth engine. If Karachi prospers, then Pakistan would flourish as well “he stated
The premier went on to add that every country has a metropolis like this: London governs the United Kingdom, New York governs the United States, and Paris governs France.
So, if we help Karachi thrive, we are also helping Pakistan […] constructing a transportation system is the first step toward constructing a modern metropolis,” he remarked.
Several governments came and went, but “no one paid attention” to Karachi’s transportation system, according to the prime minister.
The premier used the example of some of the world’s most developed cities to say that those cities were able to progress because of contemporary administration.
“Karachi will not become a modern city unless and until we focus on its management,” he stated. “Karachi, in my opinion, does not generate even $30 million in revenue.” “It’s critical to give Karachi autonomy, just as Tehran, London, and New York have,” he remarked.
The prime minister stated that the mayor of Karachi should be directly elected, and that the PTI was on its way to doing so in Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore.
While speaking about environmental issues, he stated that Karachi has become a very filthy city as a result of the growing population, and that measures must be made to address the situatio
Plan for Karachi’s Transformation
Moving on to the Karachi Transformation Plan, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his delight that the PTI government was delivering on its development pledges and that work was begun
“The nullahs are being cleaned, and work on the freight corridor is underway,” he said. “However, one project — K-4 — in which I am personally involved and receive regular updates from WAPDA chairman,” he added.
PM Imran Khan said the K4 Project’s groundbreaking ceremony will take place next month, and the project will be completed in 14-15 months.
“In August or September of 2023, we will be able to give water to Karachi from Kenjhar Lake,” the prime minister remarked.
The PTI-led government had launched health cards, according to advice to Sindh’s premier, since when a member of a family becomes ill and they are unable to get that person treated, it becomes a tragedy for them.
Every family in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a health card; some districts in Punjab have it, and by January or March, every family will have one. “Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are all getting ready to launch it.”
The prime minister urged the Sindh government to join in and implement it in the province so that people can benefit.
In this context, I would like to urge the Sindh government to work with the Centre,” he said.
The Green Line is a bus rapid transit system.
The PML-federal N’s cabinet announced the Green Line Bus project in July 2014. The foundation stone for the 17.8-kilometer route from Surjani to Guru Mandir was set on February 26, 2016.
The Green Line bus service would consist of 80 hybrid buses that will travel a 22-kilometer route from Surjani to the Municipal Park near Jama Cloth Market, stopping at 23 stations along the way.
Passengers will be aided by modern state-of-the-art lifts and automatic ticketing systems at every bus station. On digital screens built at bus stations, all information regarding bus arrival and departure will be visible.
Each bus would hold 200 to 250 passengers, and the fee is estimated to range between Rs20 and Rs50. The buses will be equipped with everything from USB ports to wheelchairs.
Buses will run to the Tower in the project’s second phase. A two-story underpass is being built near Guru Mandir and Numaish Chowrangi as part of the Green Line Bus project, where not only buses will run to world standards, but also lodging will be given.
To fulfil the demands of modern times, a control room with at least 900 cameras has been put up to monitor the Green Line bus project and passenger security.
