Experts Reveal Real Solutions How Karachi Can Stop Traffic Jams
Karachi traffic solutions remain one of the biggest challenges for the megacity of over 20 million people, experts say. Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor said the situation is fixable but cannot be solved with flyovers and underpasses alone.
Altaf Shakoor said the main problem is Karachi’s car-centric growth. Over the last 20 years, the city has promoted private cars and motorcycles instead of investing in public transport. The result is too many vehicles on roads that cannot handle them. Delivery fleets and ride-hailing bikes add to the congestion, while almost no functional citywide mass transit exists.
He noted that the Green Line BRT was a start, but it only covers a small area. Work on its second phase is stalled due to political disputes, and feeder services are very limited. The system also lacks integration with other transport modes.
Weak traffic enforcement makes things worse. Lane discipline is poor, buses and motorcycles cut across lanes, and illegal parking blocks main roads. Even good roads get congested without enforcement.
The city also suffers from a chaotic road structure. Inner streets, commercial corridors, and highways mix together, causing random U-turns, pedestrian hazards, and intersection bottlenecks.
READ MORE: Karachi’s Major Road Shut Down for Traffic from 10th November to 30th December
He suggested Karachi needs an integrated bus rapid transit (BRT) system with feeder services. Green Line should expand into a citywide network with vans and timed transfers. Real-time GPS tracking for buses can improve reliability. He further called for reclaiming roads from encroachments.
Shakoor also urged modern traffic signal systems with AI or adaptive timing, designated motorcycle lanes to reduce accidents, strict parking regulations, and multi-story parking in commercial zones. Reviving Karachi Circular Railway is crucial as it forms the backbone of public transport. He stressed that more flyovers alone will not solve congestion, as they simply move traffic a little further.
