Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has instructed the local government department to expedite work on the Malir Expressway, aiming to open its first phase to the public by August 14. During a review of major development projects in Karachi, CM Murad emphasized the importance of completing the expressway’s initial segment on schedule to facilitate public use. He also directed the water board to commence work on the Hub Canal rehabilitation project on August 1, with a target completion date within a year. These directives are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the city’s infrastructure and improve public services.
The meeting was attended by Minister Local GovtSaeedGhani, Mayor Karachi MurtazaWahab, Chief Secretary AsifHyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary LG Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Transport AsadZamin, CEO Water Board Salahuddin, PD Malir Expressway NiazSoomro and other concerned. Given the progress of the Malir Expressway project, the CM was told that the first segment of 1 to 15 km from Jam Sadiq to Shah Faisal was 77 per cent.
The physical progress of Segment-2 Shah Faisal to Kathore (15 to 38km) has been achieved at par 29 per cent. Minister Local GovtSaeedGhani informed the Chief Minister that the progress on Jam Sadiq Bridge connectivity has reached 13pc. Additionally, the EBM Interchange, PirBukhariNullah Bridge, ChakoraNullah Bridge, and Shah Faisal Interchange have reached 96pc, 99pc, 99pc, and 90pc completion respectively.
However, work on Quaidabad connectivity stands at 8pc. It may be noted that work on the 38.681 km Malir Express carriage was started on May 12, 2022, and is scheduled to be completed in June 2025. It has three into three (six lanes) lanes and the width of the carriageway is 30.9 km. It would have six interchanges and two Toll plazas. The CM directed the local government dept to expedite the work on Segment -I and he would open it on August 14 for the public.
The CM was informed that his government has started the project known as the Rehabilitation of the existing canal and appurtenances construction of a new canal 100 MGD and upgrade the existing canal for Rs12.73 billion. The CM said that with the rehabilitation of the existing canal, 30 to 35 per cent water for two districts of Karachi – West, Central and Keamari would be increased.
He added that with the construction new canal along the existing canal, these three districts would be receiving 200 MGDs. Murad Shah said that keeping in view the importance of the project he has decided to construct the project from provincial government resources, therefore he would not tolerate any delay in its process. Mayor Karachi MurtazaWahab told the CM that he has personally monitored the entire process.
He added that after hiring of the consultant work has been awarded and shortly work would be started. The CM directed the mayor to start work on May 1 and send him pictures. “I would personally visit the site and witness the progress of the work in the mid of the August.
