Karachi’s M.A. Jinnah Road Faces Severe Traffic Congestion Amid BRT Construction and Encroachments

• Green Line extension work, poor traffic management leave minimal space for vehicles
• Commuters fear remaining carriageways will be insufficient once BRT is completed

KARACHI: M.A. Jinnah Road, one of the city’s busiest arteries, has experienced a significant increase in traffic congestion over the past few months due to ongoing construction of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) extension, widespread encroachments on both sides of the road, and inadequate traffic management. These issues have severely reduced available space for vehicles, turning daily commutes into prolonged ordeals for thousands of residents.

The traffic crisis intensified after the Green Line extension project began between Numaish and Municipal Park. Construction activities in the road’s center have narrowed carriageways on both sides. Combined with encroachments, this has made routine travel increasingly difficult for citizens.

Problems persist from Naz Plaza to Amma Tower Mobile Market, where motorcycles are frequently parked in double rows along the road. Roadside eateries further obstruct traffic by placing chairs in the same lane, leaving only enough space for a single bus to pass at intersections.

Near the auto parts market opposite Plaza, another bottleneck has emerged. Despite prior anti-encroachment operations that sealed several shops, vehicles have returned to the roadway, with daily car repairs blocking traffic flow. Similar challenges exist outside the former Radio Pakistan building, where parked cars constrict movement.

These combined factors have drastically increased travel times. Commutes from Numaish to Jodia Bazaar now take 30–35 minutes instead of the usual 10 minutes, while trips to Tower have extended from 20–25 minutes to 45–50 minutes. A daily commuter described the situation as unbearable, citing a “significant waste of time” and questioning the lack of enforcement against roadside parking.

Citizens express frustration over the lack of progress, comparing Karachi unfavorably to Lahore’s infrastructure improvements. One resident criticized the slow pace of the Green Line project, noting fewer workers than expected and inconsistent contractor efficiency. They also warned that traffic issues extend beyond M.A. Jinnah Road, with poor management on connecting roads and minimal police presence exacerbating the crisis.

When contacted, South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso stated, “We’re working on it,” offering little clarity on immediate solutions. Residents remain skeptical about post-construction improvements, fearing the road’s traffic capacity will not recover without comprehensive planning and enforcement.

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