Malir 15 flyover fails to meet CM’s deadline

Qaim Ali Shah had told authorities to complete construction of flyover for traffic by January 15

KARACHI:

If there is one thing the Malir 15 flyover has been consistent with, it is missing deadlines. The latest one was January 15 and the flyover has yet to open for traffic.

This deadline was announced by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah after numerous news reports pointed out the delays in this project since 2013.





"Slow construction work on Malir 15 flyover is causing hardships for the people of Karachi," Shah had claimed during a meeting with the local government department at CM House on January 1. "I want you to open it for traffic latest by January 15."

Snail's pace

An official at the construction site had told The Express Tribune in September last year that the flyover's construction has been progressing at a snail's pace mainly because of delays in payments by the planning and development department.

The flyover's then project director, Syed Muhammad Taha, assured that by November 15, 2015, both the tracks of the flyover — from Malir 15 bus stop to Millat Bakery — will be opened. Another track from Azeempura to Malir 15 will be constructed later, he has said, adding that it will take longer due to delayed payments and illegal constructions in the area.

Irked residents, traders

With the construction work missing yet another deadline, anger is running high among residents and traders, many of whom have businesses in the nearby industrial areas of Landhi and Bin Qasim.

Mobeen Khan, the general secretary of Landhi Association of Trade and Industry, told The Express Tribune that the project will easily take another month and a half. He was happy to note that work has sped up. He pointed out that the construction of the Azeempura ramp has yet to start.



According to Khan, traffic congestion has been reduced at Malir 15 as heavy traffic has been diverted to Korangi Road. "Dawood and Singer roundabouts face severe traffic jams now due to these diversions," he added.

Meanwhile, an official of Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry, Abdul Rehman complained how their work commute takes at least 30 minutes longer. "We are paying the price for the [delayed] construction. It has increased our stress as well as street crime."

Rehman wanted to know why proper alternative routes were not defined when construction began.

A new deadline

Meanwhile, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's engineer on site, Syed Ishrat Rehan told The Express Tribune that the flyover will open by January 22. Hardly 15 per cent of the work remains, he added.



KMC's director-general for technical services, Niaz Ahmed Soomro, pointed out that their budget book mentions June, 2016, as the deadline for this project. He assured, however, that they will meet whatever deadline they receive from the Sindh government.

"The completion of the project depends upon the availability of funds," he said adding that last year they did not get proper funds, due to which the construction was delayed.



On the Azeempura ramp, Soomro said that it was just a small portion of the project. The pilling work has already been done, he added. Once both the tracks of the flyover, from Malir 15 bus stop to Millat Bakery, are opened, work on the other track will kick off, he promised.

Commenting on the tall claims made after the CM issued the January-15 deadline, local government minister Jam Khan Shoro claimed the deadline was between January 15 and January 20. "The flyover will be opened before February," he said. The residents and traders must brace themselves for yet another deadline.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2016.