By In a significant step towards sustainable urban mobility, the Sindh government is gearing up to launch 1,000 electric buses in Karachi under the ambitious Peoples Green Transport Project. The plan received a major push forward after Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah approved the appointment of transaction consultants to fast-track the initiative.
The decision was made during a recent meeting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board, chaired by the Chief Minister himself. The session was attended by key provincial ministers, including Sharjeel Inam Memon, Saeed Ghani, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, and other senior officials.
Project Details and Execution Plan
According to officials, the electric bus project has already cleared the technical assessment phase and aligns perfectly with Sindh’s broader goals for eco-friendly, low-emission urban transport. To avoid unnecessary delays, the government decided to retain the previously selected consultants instead of launching a fresh selection process. These consultants will now evaluate a detailed proposal submitted by a private sector group.
If deemed feasible, the project will be implemented in phases through a public-private partnership model. The plan includes deploying 600 twelve-meter buses and 400 eight-meter buses under a 10-year agreement, based on a payment-per-kilometer mechanism. To ensure smooth operations and maintenance, the government will establish ten dedicated bus depots across Karachi. An important clause of the contract specifies that all buses will become government property once the agreement period ends, ensuring long-term asset ownership.
Supporting Infrastructure and Parallel Projects
The board also reviewed progress on two other major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and economic growth in the province:
- Shahrah-e-Bhutto High-Speed Road: This planned 39-kilometer corridor will link Korangi Creek Avenue to the M-9 Motorway, easing traffic congestion and improving logistics in Karachi.
- Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ): Designed to attract investment and promote industrialization, the SEZ is part of Sindh’s wider economic development strategy.
A Big Leap for Karachi’s Public Transport
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, has long struggled with inadequate and outdated public transport systems. With fuel costs soaring and air pollution worsening, introducing a fleet of 1,000 electric buses could be a game-changer for millions of daily commuters. The Peoples Green Transport Project aims to provide affordable, cleaner, and more reliable travel options while contributing to reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
What’s Next?
The final rollout will depend on the consultants’ review of the private proposal. If all goes according to plan, Karachiites can expect to see the first fleet of electric buses hit the roads in the near future, marking a transformative shift in how the city moves.
