CM approves 1,100 electric, hybrid buses for six Sindh divisions

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday approved the procurement of 1,100 electric and diesel-electric hybrid buses for six divisions of the province.

Shah chaired a joint meeting of different government departments at the CM House to review the progress of ongoing projects, as well as new projects so they can be launched with the assistance of donor agencies.

The chief executive said Karachi’s public transport system is overwhelmed by its growing population and outdated fleet, resulting in overcrowded, inefficient and environmentally harmful services.

He said the Peoples Bus Service, electric buses and Pink Buses have made a difference, but even then a large fleet of buses is required to resolve the public transport issue of the city.

Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon said that to tackle these challenges and promote sustainable urban mobility, his department has proposed inducting 500 electric buses into the city’s transportation network. He said the move would enhance the commuter experience, reduce traffic congestion and significantly lower air pollution.

Shah said the proposal has started discussions with donor agencies, and hopefully, he would secure the funds. He directed the planning & development (P&D) and transport departments to finalise the required paperwork.

More buses

The CM said the transport system in the rest of the province is in a dire need of modernisation and expansion to meet the growing demands of its population. “As the province continues to develop economically and socially, the current public transport offerings struggle to keep pace.”

Memon said his department is working on a proposal to procure 300 diesel-electric hybrid buses, allocating 60 buses each to the Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions to enhance connectivity, improve environmental standards, and ensure a reliable and efficient mode of transport for all residents.

Another project for the procurement of 300 diesel-electric hybrid and electric buses for intercity transportation, connecting divisional headquarters across the province, was discussed in the meeting.

Shah said the initiative should provide a cost-effective, safer and environmentally friendly transport option for the public, countering the fare hikes imposed by private operators and addressing safety concerns.

Memon said that under the plan, 60 buses would be given to Karachi, 50 each to Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad, and 40 to Mirpurkhas.

Yellow Line

The transport minister said the private operator of the Yellow Line bus rapid transit (BRT) project would be offered to finance, procure, supply and operate buses, maintain various systems and provide related services.

He said the main BRT trunk corridor comprises a 21km-long dedicated corridor from Dawood Chowrangi to Numaish. The battery electric buses technology option is under consideration, he added.

The CM directed the transport department and the Public-Private Partnership Unit to complete the feasibility study by the end of next month so that the project can be taken up.

Wastewater treatment

The West Karachi Recycled Water Project-I envisages treating 35mgd wastewater and supplying 27mgd of approximately industrial-grade water to industries in SITE Karachi. Shah said the project would reduce the industrial area’s dependency on freshwater that is needed elsewhere in the city.

He said it would also enhance environmental sustainability by discharging treated water into the sea. He directed the local government department to relaunch the project with a revised transaction structure by November 24 so that donor agencies can be approached for funding.

The TP-4 project envisages the construction of a 22km interceptor, primary and secondary wastewater treatment plant of approximately 120mgd, along with tertiary treatment and RO of 40mgd to supply industrial-grade water to the Korangi Industrial Area. The CM said donor agencies have pledged funding for the project, and his cabinet has approved the funding. P&D Minister Nasir Shah said the project is in the feasibility study stage. The CM directed the P&D department to complete the study within two months.

Coal gasification

The CM said the coal gasification technology is successfully being used in many developed countries like South Africa, USA and China. He said Pakistan has huge coal reserves (184 billion tonnes) that can be utilised by the application of appropriate technologies, starting with the production of synthetic natural gas.

Energy Minister Nasir Shah said the country has an extensive gas distribution network, and the proposed coal gasification project would cater to the energy needs. He said the shortfall of 1,200mmcfd can be met through the proposed project.

The CM directed the energy department to prepare a project, following which he would talk to the Chinese authorities to include it in CPEC or a separate project.

Pest surveillance

The CM said China has developed advanced agricultural pest surveillance technology that utilises a combination of remote sensing, the Internet of Things, and unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor and manage crop diseases and pests effectively. He directed the agriculture and P&D departments to prepare the project for the cabinet’s approval.

Agriculture technology

The CM said he has already directed the agriculture department to prepare a project to acquire technology for agriculture in the arid areas of the province for poverty reduction.

He said China has developed several innovative technologies that can be highly beneficial for agriculture in water-deficient areas like Tharparkar, Kachho and other arid zones.

“Implementing these technologies in Sindh can greatly enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in water-scarce regions,” he said, adding that the Chinese authorities would be approached for collaboration.