Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has called for a strict completion schedule for three critical infrastructure projects in Karachi— Karimabad Underpass, Korangi Causeway Bridge, and Malir Expressway. Chairing a review meeting at CM House on Monday, Shah demanded clarity on delays despite timely fund allocation. “Why is this ordinate delay being faced in completing the projects when the allocated funds have been released well in time?” he questioned, directing the local government to submit a detailed, date-specific completion plan. The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, and other senior officials and project directors. The Sindh government, through KDA, is executing the Rs3.8 billion Karimabad Underpass project. According to a briefing, the underpass spans 1,080 meters, with 300 meters completed. Of the required 212 precast girders, 151 are ready, marking an overall progress of 35%. Chief Minister Shah emphasized the need for an effective drainage system to prevent water accumulation during rains. He also expressed concerns about a roundabout under development near Meena Bazaar and Bazaar-e-Faisla, urging local government officials to expedite the work and mitigate traffic disruptions.
The Rs6.4 billion Korangi Causeway Bridge project, scheduled for completion by January 31, 2025, has raised concerns about potential delays. Out of 400 piles, 300 are completed, and 504 of 600 girders are ready, with the overall progress at 30%. The CM directed Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani to oversee the project personally to ensure adherence to the deadline. The Malir Expressway, a 38.889-kilometer project connecting Jam Sadiq to Kathore Bridge, is progressing steadily. Officials informed the CM that the first segment, from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Shah Faisal, would be ready by December 2024. The CM instructed the local government to prioritize the reconstruction of the Shah Faisal-to-Airport road and to submit precise, date-wise timelines for the expressway’s completion. “I want you to submit detailed date-wise completion dates of all three projects, and then I won’t tolerate any delay,” he stated firmly. The meeting concluded with directives for enhanced monitoring and expedited construction to address the city’s infrastructure challenges.
