Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the provincial government to make University Road fully operational within two months. A two-member constitutional bench issued the verdict following a petition regarding the sealing of machinery belonging to the (Bus Rapid Transit) BRT Red Line Lot 2 contractor.
The court declared the sealing of the contractor’s office and equipment illegal. During the proceedings, the bench observed that the deteriorating state of the road caused severe hardships for residents.
The court ordered the Sindh government to ensure the uninterrupted movement of public and private transport on the route.
The ruling allows the provincial government to allocate or reallocate additional funds to meet the two-month deadline.
However, the bench maintained that construction activities for the BRT project must not disrupt traffic flow under any circumstances. Current estimates suggest the BRT Red Line project will become operational by October 2027.
According to the written order, TransKarachi may retain possession of the machinery if deemed necessary under specific contract clauses, but the matter must be referred to the Dispute Resolution Board.
If the board does not reach a decision within 30 days, the machinery must be returned.
The court noted that contract disputes would be settled through arbitration and existing dispute resolution mechanisms.
The Advocate General Sindh informed the court that Rs15 billion of the Rs16 billion project cost has been paid.
Following the proceedings, the contractor for BRT Red Line Lot 2, Amin Jan, demanded the formation of a high-level commission and an investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Jan told reporters that the project has been reduced to roadwork while the core transit system remains incomplete.
“Under the current pace, the Red Line may not be completed even in the next 30 years,” Jan claimed. He further alleged that pressure to resolve project issues resulted in blame being shifted onto him, which led to the termination of his contract.
