**Red Line BRT Completion Delayed Beyond 2026, Admits Sharjeel Memon**
Sindh’s Senior Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has confirmed that the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Karachi is unlikely to meet its original completion target of late 2026.
Speaking to the media, Memon attributed the delay to challenges in transferring utilities.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by citizens due to the ongoing construction, stating that public criticism over traffic disruptions caused by the BRT work is “justified.” The project has significantly impacted traffic flow on the busy University Road and other areas along the Red Line route.
In the same address, the transport minister denied any plans to regularize Chingchi rickshaws, a common mode of transport in many parts of the city. He clarified that the government has banned these vehicles, and their continued operation is due to a stay order.
The BRT project’s impact has previously drawn scrutiny. The Sindh High Court (SHC) had earlier summoned Karachi’s Mayor and the Secretary of Transport over concerns about tree removal along the BRT route.
The Secretary of Forests clarified to the court that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is responsible for managing trees within city limits, while the forest department’s jurisdiction lies outside urban areas.