Pakistan: Lack of Chinese funds halts Yellow Line project

The Yellow Line mass transit project has hit a snag in Pakistan, as the Chinese company tasked with building parts for the bus rapid transit system has so far been unable to arrange funds through its financial institutions.

The Yellow Line BRT is part of the six Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors that were proposed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to improve the traffic situation in Karachi. The line stretches from Landhi to New M.A. Jinnah road and is one of the several metro bus projects for the citizens.

The 26.5-kilometre-long Yellow Line project is yet to be built with an estimated cost of Rs14.4 billion with 104 new buses on the route.

Sindh Transport Minister Nasir Shah confirmed the current status, but vowed that the provincial government was determined to initiate the project this year and if its Chinese partner remained unable to meet the terms of the contract, it would re-launch the project "with someone else", reported Dawn.

The Sindh government has reportedly sent reminders to the Chinese company to finish the work in three months or the project will be re-tendered.

The red line project is expected to be launched in July. The government has reportedly completed all formalities with Asian Development Bank regarding the project.