This is the second time that the bank has shown interest in the project since it deferred its $223 million investment programme in December 2008 due to lack of co-ordination between the Sindh and city governments. A couple of months ago, IFC, an arm of World Bank Group, had also shown interest in the project and was willing to play a role of a lead advisor.
The sources said that after deliberation with the ADB, a meeting was held recently between Sindh Government and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to appoint a focal person and make other modalities with the bank.
The ADB had earlier agreed to finance the new concept in an urban transport system with the allocation of $223 million for BRTS. But, later, it deferred the investment citing the following reasons: (i) no consensus within the government to proceed with the programme, (ii) despite lapse of 4 years, there was continuous problem of government approvals, (iii) major changes in focus, scope and direction of the programme, (iv) in July 2008, the programme was re-configured with new implementation arrangements, (v) approval of PC-land and other status could not be achieved and (vi) scope of the programme could not be agreed.
However, feasibility of the project has increased after Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) prepared a mass transit network for Karachi with 2030 vision suggesting two metro system lines and six RBT lines, besides KCR revitalisation programe. JICA has also prepared feasibility study of two RBTS lines (Green line - Surjani to Jama Cloth market and red line - model colony to Regal Chowk via Safoora Goth, university road) and pre-facility of blue line from Sohrab Goth to tower.
The Sindh government and KMC have also decided to start BRTS 'yellow line' as a Pilot Project in the city. According to KMC sources, this line would be a 22-km route from Dawood Chowrangi to Numaish Chowrangi and Lucky Star via Korangi and FTC under public Private Partnership model. The proposed RBTS would cater to 13,000 passengers per hour per direction. An estimated amount of Rs 26.5 billion was required to finance this high quality bus transit system, sources added.