Latest news with #FarooqMustafaChaudhry
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Lyari Expressway-III
Policy recommendations: The NHA should prioritize implementing digital toll collection systems similar to FWO's M-Tag technology. This would address commuter concerns about delays while potentially improving revenue collection efficiency. The initial investment in digital infrastructure could be offset by operational savings and improved user satisfaction. A phased implementation approach could begin with dedicated lanes for digital payments, gradually expanding as adoption increases. This would allow system testing while maintaining current operations during the transition period. Transparency in toll utilisation would also strengthen public confidence. Lyari Expressway-II Regular reporting on how toll revenues translate into infrastructure improvements would provide accountability and justify future rate adjustments. Alternative management models: Should the NHA find digital modernization challenging within current operational frameworks, exploring alternative management models merits consideration. The FWO's demonstrated competence in highway management and digital systems implementation suggests potential benefits from management transfer or partnership arrangements. Provincial involvement through the Sindh government could provide additional oversight and ensure alignment with local business community needs. Lyari Expressway-I Regional authorities often demonstrate greater responsiveness to local stakeholder concerns than federal agencies. Public-private partnerships might also offer solutions, bringing private sector efficiency to public infrastructure management while maintaining public ownership and oversight. Farooq Mustafa Chaudhry (Karachi) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Lyari Expressway-II
Digital solutions: Pakistan already possesses successful digital toll collection infrastructure. The Frontier Works Organization's M-Tag system on major highways demonstrates that automated toll collection is not only feasible but operationally superior. The technology reduces processing time, minimizes human error, improves revenue collection accuracy, and provides valuable traffic data for infrastructure planning. International best practices further support digital transformation. Electronic toll collection systems worldwide have demonstrated reduced operational costs, improved traffic flow, and enhanced user satisfaction. Countries with similar economic profiles have successfully implemented such systems, suggesting that technological barriers are minimal. The business case for digital implementation becomes even stronger when considering revenue optimization. Automated systems reduce collection costs, minimize revenue leakage, and provide real-time financial monitoring capabilities that manual systems cannot match. Infrastructure maintenance challenges: While toll increases may be justified by rising maintenance costs, current service delivery raises questions about resource allocation effectiveness. Lyari Expressway-I Commuters report persistent issues with road cleaning, street lighting, and safety infrastructure maintenance. Most critically, safety barriers along elevated sections have been compromised, creating potential liability issues for the authority. The expressway's elevated bridge design requires particular attention to safety protocols. Missing or damaged barriers pose significant risks, especially given the 50-100 feet height differential above water channels. Addressing these safety concerns should be integral to any toll adjustment strategy. From a business continuity perspective, reliable infrastructure reduces transportation risks and associated insurance costs. Companies operating vehicle fleets particularly benefit from well-maintained highways with proper safety features. Farooq Mustafa Chaudhry Karachi Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Lyari Expressway-I
Modernizing payment systems could address commuter concerns while improving revenue efficiency. The Lyari Expressway toll structure has undergone significant adjustments in recent months, with rates increasing from Rs 30 to Rs 70 — representing a 133 percent rise over an eight-month period. While the National Highway Authority (NHA) cites infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs as justification for these increases, the implementation reveals a fundamental disconnect between modern transportation management practices and ground realities faced by Karachi's business community and daily commuters. The economic cost of inefficiency: the current manual toll collection system presents a compelling case study in operational inefficiency. During peak business hours - particularly morning office start times and evening shift changes - thousands of commuters experience delays ranging from 15 to 30 minutes solely for toll payment processing. This translates to significant economic losses across multiple sectors. For Karachi's business ecosystem, these delays represent more than mere inconvenience. Late arrivals affect productivity, increase fuel consumption during idle periods, and create cascading delays throughout supply chains. When port city operations depend on timely movement of goods and personnel, every minute lost in toll queues has measurable economic impact. The financial implications extend beyond individual businesses. Transportation costs ultimately factor into product pricing, affecting competitiveness in both domestic and export markets. In an economy where efficiency gains can provide crucial advantages, maintaining antiquated toll collection methods represents a missed opportunity for systemic improvement. Farooq Mustafa Chaudhry (Karachi) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
