WHILE Lahore is forging ahead with its road network, Orange line and Metro buses, Karachi, the commercial and financial hub of the country with a population of 20 million plus, is still without a decent rapid transport system and road network.
The Karachi Circular Railway, which was a great achievement of its time, was wound up owing to mismanagement.
Another excellent artery through the city, Lyari Expressway, was conceived more than two decades ago but is still incomplete with only one track operational.
The upgrading of Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (KHM)is a commendable step but to reach Toll Plaza from the city requires more time than the onward journey toHyderabad. Thousands of housing schemes have mushroomed and continue to grow well beyond the old toll plaza.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) can significantly reduce traf fic on the most congested part of the KHM by building the 50 kilometre Malir River Expressway (MRE) from Port Qasim to the KHM, reducing travelling time to 30 minutes.
However, the NHA must expedite the building of the MRE to help people avail themselves of the full benefit of saving time.
