Revival of Karachi Circular Railway.

Byline: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi

In Karachi, transport-associated challenges over the previous eras, have grown significantly, resulting in a fall in efficiency, and having a huge influence on the living standards of its people. Furthermore, traffic congestion has contributed to raised air and noise pollution, leading to health challenges, high accident rates, and environmental degradation. This has also concluded a fall in living standards, as in order to avoid long commutes, citizens' living selections have become further limited and this has decided where they live.

This has often concluded in a fall in income and a decline in personal security, which has affected the most susceptible, specifically females. In Pakistan, Karachi having more than 20 million population, is the largest city, and within the world one amongst the fastest growing cities. The City comprises much of Pakistan's industrial base and is the location of various federal institutions. It is also said that 69 percent of the land is privately owned, and there's little of no coordination between the various landowners.

The Researchers revealed that transport-associated challenges in spite of Karachi's significance are increasing. Every year a large number of private vehicles are added to its road, but the number of public transport registered buses has fallen. Because of this fall, on the roofs of buses citizens are forced to travel, which is severely speaking unlawful, and citizens also have to wait at bus stops for long times to get a ride. From diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG), studies revealed that a large number of buses have converted. However, because of a lack of supply, the sale of CNG is only allowed in few days of the week, and it is only on those days that CNG buses can function.

This creates further challenges for the commuting public. Studies also revealed that Karachi Strategic Development Plan-2020 (KSDP 2020), accepted in 2007 through CDGK, proposes development of public transport system that is sensible as well as convenient. In KSDP 2020 for the transport system, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) are proposed. Just like other mega cities of the world, Karachi city unluckily does not have an effectual Mass Transit System. This is reasoning huge challenges to the commuters of the city at large. It was therefore, planned through government of Pakistan to revive the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) as a modern Commuter System.

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