In an effort to manage the operation and maintenance of the Karachi Bus Rapid Transit System (KBRTS), the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) Board held its second meeting on Wednesday at the Secretariat Services General Administration & Coordination Department. The meeting was presided over by the SMTA Board chairman and Sindh Minister of Transport and Mass Transit Department Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
The meeting was also attended by other members of the Board included Secretary Transport and Mass Transit Department Saeed Ahmad Awan, Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar, Mayor Hyderabad and representatives of the Asian Development Bank.
In his welcome remarks, Nasir Hussain Shah extended his gratitude to all the participants including representatives of the Asian Development Bank which was followed by remarks of the Secretary Transport and Mass Transit Department.
Sindh Mass Transit Authority's managing director Hanif Muhammad Mirchiwala presented the minutes of 1st meeting of SMTA Board for ratification and approval of the members which were unanimously approved.
The SMTA Board also approved the establishment of the Trans Karachi Company and inclusion of the Mayor Karachi as a member of the Board of company. However, the ADB representative informed that as per the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the chairman of the Company shall be an independent member.
While responding to Mayor Hyderbad for any planned BRT project for Hyderabad, the Minister Transport and Mass Transit Department said a Master plan has yet to be developed for both Hyderabad and Sukkur. He said the SMTA has submitted a grant proposal to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency for devising master plan for both Hyderabad and Sukkur. He mentioned that if the grant proposal was not approved, the same would be placed in the Annual Development Programme of the Sindh Govt.