Karachi: Transport Mafia vs Green Bus Project

Re: # 4
Having just visited Karachi, I think there is a dire need for a serious mass transit solution like a subway or overhead rail system to carry millions of passengers on a daily basis. Nothing short of it will solve the transportation problems of a major metropolis like Karachi. It will also force fixing the serious power outages that plague the city on a daily basis.

As to clearing the drains, I hope Mayor Mustafa Kamal's sincere efforts in establishing an effective and regular garbage collection and waste management system to handle 8000 tons of garbage a day system will succeed. This will ensure cleaner streets, and hopefully cleaner drainage system.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

@Malik,
50 is just a start, there will Insh'Allah be 5000. As for the Drains, CDGK's performed magnificently during the monsoons , remember it was a record that more then 320 millimeter was recorded which is unprecedented but the main roads were cleared out ; the only stress was KESC which is unfortunately not in CDGK's control. Apparently, it's your vote against Karachites and that too more then 20 million of them..

Mr. Chishti
MQM should be accredited for the participation of urban middle class in positions of political leadership. Having said that, 50 buses in a city of 17 million is no more than a fashion statement. Development plans for any sector should include those who are already employed in that sector. If rickshaw wallas could become unemployed by implementing a city development project, their re-employment in the new program or other alternative source of employment must be presented. As for your ranting of Transport and Pakhtun mafia, people of Karachi know there are more mafias than those you mention.
50 CNG buses are not enough. All buses should be mandated to convert to CNG as soon as possible. New roads and flyovers are admirable accomplishment but a city as big as Karachi needs a light rail linked thoroughly within the city and the surrounding stretch. Do not exaggerate your achievement. Mustafa Kamal announced that the city's sewer system has been cleared and it will stand up to any challenge but the first rain of the season exposed the fact.

Metro Rail is best for crowded cities. It done miracle in Kolkata....Govt. private needs very high initial investment and I am sure Japan is there to provide technical assiatance and loan...Now, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore are going for MRTS....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXflzZFW8oA
Though it looks ugly in current standard, 15 years back, it looked wonderful....

well ... "VARAN" started in Rawalpindi (owned by the daughter of former ISI chief) and they had buses going every where in rawalpindi and islamabad and in the outskirts and they had a vast network where no one would go before,their service was very good till they got into the tussle with the transport mafia & then couple of strikes followed by damaging varan buses and putting them on fire and after a year not only Varan shut down but went bankrupt.

But in lahore it is working fine, daewoo has an intercity airconditioned service and couple of other companies as well and it is going well with the local traffic mafia.

& on personal note, Mustafa kamal sb. should do something about karachi's sewerage and power first before putting green on the road cause recent rains were really an eye opener !!!