KARACHI: The World Bankfunded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Yellow Line project, which will connect Quaidabad`s Dawood Chowrangi with Numaish, will exclusively use electric buses to ensure it remains fully environmentally friendly.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said this while talking to a WB delegation, which visited the YellowLine project site office and inspected the ongoing construction near Jam Sadiq Bridge.

The dedicated corridor of the Yellow Line will start from Dawood Chowrangi via Korangi Industrial Area`s Jam S adiq Bridge, Main Korangi Road, FTC Interchange, Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-i-Quaideen, Kashmir Road and will integrate with Red Line at Numaish.

Mr Memon, who holds the portfolios of information, transport and mass transit, briefed the delegation comprehensively about the project, highlighting its importance, impact and current status.

The senior minister said thatthe Yellow Line is a visionary and strategic project for Karachi; it will facilitate fast, affordable, and safe travel.

`The Yellow Line will not only enhance citizen mobility but also stimulate economic activity,` a statement quoted the minister as saying. `We aim to complete this project in line with international standards, with facilities comparable to those found in major global cities. On the Yellow Line, only electric buses will operate to ensure it remains fully environmentally friendly.

Mr Memon noted that Pakistan`s first electric bus service and the Pink Bus Service for women were introduced under their leadership and arenow operating successfully.

Electric buses, he added, will significantly reduce environmental pollution and lead to substantial savings in fuel costs.

He further said that an electric scooter programme is being launched to empower women, in response to which more than 8,000 applications were received.

The senior minister said that this project is not merely a transport initiative; it`s the groundwork for a social revolution.

He also noted that work is progressing on the Karachi Circular Railway and the Karachi-toSukkur High-Speed Rail projects.

He stated that, to encourageinvestment, special economic zones have been established where investors are granted a ten-year tax exemption. While the rising value of the dollar has undoubtedly impacted the construction costs of the BRT project, the government remains committed to overcomingthis challenge.

The World Bank team, the statement said, commended the speed, vision and quality of the Yellow Line project and reiterated that Karachi, being a major city, needs more transport initiatives.

They also expressed interest in the public-private partnership model and described the Sindh government`s efforts as positive and forward-looking.