Engineers Propose Karachi’s First Underground Railway Network
The Pakistan Academy of Engineering (PAE) has proposed the development of Karachi’s first underground railway system as a long-term solution to the city’s growing traffic congestion and public transportation challenges.
The proposal was presented during the academy’s 40th symposium, titled “Importance of Underground Mobility in a Megacity,” where transport and engineering experts from Pakistan, the United States, and China discussed modern urban transit systems and shared experiences from major cities around the world.
During the event, experts reviewed underground railway networks operating in cities such as Singapore, New York, Washington D.C., Delhi, Friedberg, and Dhaka before recommending a similar model for Karachi.
According to the proposal, two underground rail corridors have been suggested. One route would connect Numaish Chowrangi with Merewether Tower, while the second would run from FTC on Shahrah-e-Faisal to I.I. Chundrigar Road and Tower.
PAE President Prof. Dr. Brigadier (Retd.) Nasim Akhtar Khan said Karachi’s rapidly increasing population and transport demands require long-term infrastructure planning. He noted that an underground rail system could provide a sustainable and efficient solution for the city’s future mobility needs.
The academy also suggested integrating the proposed underground railway with Karachi’s existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network to create a more connected and efficient public transport system.
According to experts, an underground rail network could help ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity between residential and commercial areas, reduce environmental pollution, and offer a safer and more reliable travel option for millions of daily commuters.
The proposal is currently a recommendation and would require detailed planning, government approval, and funding before any construction work could begin.
