The Sindh government has decided to establish a modern parking terminal for trucks, trailers and heavy-load vehicles outside Karachi. The terminal will be constructed on the Northern Bypass.
In addition, a dedicated heavy-vehicle track will be developed from the Karachi Port to the proposed heavy vehicles terminal to facilitate smooth movement of heavy traffic.
Sindh Senior Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon took these decisions as he chaired a meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) board on Wednesday.
He added that the project would significantly reduce the burden of heavy traffic within the city and improve the overall transport system.
The meeting was attended by Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Islam Sheikh, Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, SMTA Managing Director Salimullah Odho, Traffic DIG Pir Muhammad Shah and senior officials.
Various projects aimed at improving urban transport in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting eco-friendly travel facilities were discussed during the meeting.
The SMTA board also decided to soon launch an EV-based taxi service in Karachi. Approval was granted to open the financial evaluation process this month to accelerate the implementation of this project.
The meeting further approved the purchase of 50 new double-decker buses for Karachi.
Memon said the introduction of double-decker buses aimed at improving urban mobility and passenger flow. He remarked that each bus would have a capacity of 126 passengers, which was expected to significantly reduce pressure on public transport.
The meeting also approved the purchase of 500 additional Pink electric scooters for women.
The transport minister stated that Pink electric scooters would be distributed among women in Hyderabad on May 22. He said the Pink electric scooter scheme had proved to be a revolutionary initiative for women empowerment, adding that the distribution of 1,000 scooters within a year had helped change societal attitudes.
The meeting also approved the purchase of 500 electric buses under a public-private partnership model. Of these, 450 buses would operate on 25 different routes in Karachi, while 50 buses would ply on five routes in Hyderabad.
Memon said five modern depots for electric vehicles would be established across the province, including four in Karachi and one in Hyderabad. He added that the next phase of EV bus services would begin in Sukkur, providing modern and environmentally friendly transport facilities to other districts of Sindh as well.
The meeting also approved the construction of a single-storey parking plaza near the Qadam Gah Maula Ali (RA) in Hyderabad. The project would cover one acre of land and provide improved parking facilities for pilgrims and residents. In addition, the meeting decided that solar-powered systems would power all traffic signals installed in the future.
