TransKarachi, a public sector company established and owned by the Government of Sindh to carry out the project implementation of the $504 million Karachi Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) Red Line, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nadirshaw Eduljee Dinshaw (NED) University of Engineering & Technology.
Following the partnership, TransKarachi and NED University will collaborate on capacity-building initiatives in the areas of transport infrastructure, drainage design, as well as resource optimization, and gender mainstreaming to facilitate the performance of the entire KBRT Red Line network for citizens of Karachi.
The two institutions will also work on research projects and papers with an emphasis on developing traffic flow models, real-time traffic measurement tools, and smart traffic controls and jointly execute surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews to create awareness about urban public transport and address gender-based violence.
To mark the occasion, an MoU Signing Ceremony was held at the Senate Hall, Main Campus, NED University on the 15th of September 2022. Present at the occasion from TransKarachi were: Chief Executive, Wasif Ijlal, General Manager Operations, Ahmad Kidwai, General Manager, Planning and Infrastructure, Dr. Murtaza Bukhari, and Chief Financial Officer, Jatin Kumar while NED was represented by Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Chemical & Process Engineering, Dr. Tufail and senior faculty members.
Taking this opportunity, TransKarachi CEO Wasif Ijlal said: “NED University is a technology hub and we truly believe this collaboration will transform the public transport landscape in Karachi.”
NED University Vice Chancellor Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi said: “NED University produces thousands of talented engineers every year and will continue to provide support in terms of capacity building and technical skills. We may face obstacles, but we are focused on the big picture,” he added.
The $504 million Karachi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project is sponsored by the Government of Sindh with funding from partners including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the French agency Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).