The government of Sindh has decided to operate 500 electric buses in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) board, chaired by the Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
Sharjeel Memon approved the purchasing of 500 electric buses under a private-public partnership model.
As per the plan approved in the meeting, 450 electric buses will be operated on the 25 routes in the capital of the province, while the remaining 50 buses will be moving on five routes in Hyderabad.
The board also gave a green signal for establishing five modern electric vehicle (EV) depots across Sindh, out of which four will be in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.
Major discussions were held in the SMTA board meeting, including the modernisation and improvement of urban transport systems in the major cities: Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
The establishment of a modern heavy vehicle terminal for trucks, trailers, and other heavy transport vehicles outside Karachi on the Northern Bypass was also approved in the meeting of the board.
Under the project, a dedicated corridor for heavy vehicles will be constructed from Karachi Port to the Northern Bypass to divert freight traffic away from the city’s main roads.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the initiative will reduce the traffic jams in Karachi and improve the city’s transport system.
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Govt suspends multiple train services in Pakistan
The government of Pakistan on Wednesday suspended eight train services due to an increase in diesel prices.
According to the Pakistan Railways, eight trains on different sections have been temporarily suspended.
In Balochistan, the Bolan Mail, Khushhal Khan Khattak Express and Mehran Express have been suspended.
The Chaman Mixed, Marvi Passenger, and Saman Sarkar Express services have also been suspended.
The Mohenjo-Daro and Ravi Express services have also been closed.
Railway authorities said that the train service has been suspended to save fuel.
Operations were also affected due to fewer passengers travelling by train.
Passengers are likely to face further difficulties due to the reduced number of trains.
The authorities stated that the train service will be restored as the situation returns to normal.
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