Karachi gets three new underpasses, flyovers
Sindh government announces Rs10b development package for provincial capital
To address the growing number of vehicles and the resulting traffic jams, the government has proposed three new underpasses and three flyovers for the city. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Traffic on Sharae Faisal is going to be a mess this year provided the Sindh government is serious about what it has planned — five destruction, construction and remodelling projects to run at the same time on the city’s main artery.
This brief mess is, however, going to lead to a long-term solution: to help the overflowing traffic stream move smoothly on the 14-kilometre-long dual carriage way that runs between Star Gate and Hotel Metropole.
In its annual development programme for the fiscal year 2016-17, the provincial government has allocated a sum of Rs10 billion for 21 new projects in the city. Of these, six fall on Sharae Faisal, costing more than Rs2.5 billion, which is around 26.4% of the total amount.
Sindh transport dept makes promises it rarely keeps
A new underpass will be constructed at Star Gate, the two tracks of Sharae Faisal will be widened till Hotel Metropole, a U-turn will be built at Natha Khan Bridge, the Drigh Road flyover will be demolished, the Baloch Colony flyover — located off Sharae Faisal — will be remodelled and another underpass will be built at Regent Plaza.
Apart from this, another underpass has been proposed for Submarine Chowrangi in Clifton. Overall, the three underpasses will cost Rs1.5 billion. Moreover, money has been allocated for 10 road construction and rehabilitation schemes, three water, one fire fighting and one zoo projects.
Given that the excise and taxation department recorded over 3.6 million registered motor vehicles in 2014, it is perhaps prudent that the Sindh government has given more importance to construction and remodelling of road networks in the city in the proposed development programme.
Sindh govt presents Rs869 billion budget
Three new flyovers
The Sindh government has allocated Rs1.9 billion for three new flyovers in the city. The one at Shaheen Complex, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto flyover, is the third-most expensive mega scheme announced for the current fiscal year, with an estimated cost of Rs800 million.
A replacement flyover will be built at Drigh Road after demolishing the existing one and the third one will be built at Manzil Pump in Landhi, connecting with the National Highway.
Repairing what’s broken
Of the city’s development package of Rs10 billion, 47.2% goes towards the construction and repairs of 10 roads in the city. The government is spending Rs1.6 billion for the construction of University Road from Hasan Square to NIPA and from NED University to Safoora Chowrangi. For the reconstruction of Tariq Road, Rs550 million have been allocated. The other projects fall within Surjani, Baldia and Malir towns.
Upgrading water filtration plant
The government has also shown commitment to fixing Karachi’s water woes by allocation Rs900 million for the upgrade of the water filtration plant at Pipri. The existing capacity of the Pipri plant is to filter around 50 million gallons per day (MGD). The authorities are planning to take it up to 100MGD.
Moreover, the government has allocated money to install a 16-inch-diameter pipeline in Metroville and construct a storm water drain near Jinnah International Airport.
Other projects
Meanwhile, the government has allocated Rs499 million for the upgrade of fire fighting at high-rise buildings while the zoo has been allocated Rs150m for rehabilitation and improvement. All these projects, except the fire fighting one, are subject to approval from the relevant authorities.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2016.
Traffic on Sharae Faisal is going to be a mess this year provided the Sindh government is serious about what it has planned — five destruction, construction and remodelling projects to run at the same time on the city’s main artery.
This brief mess is, however, going to lead to a long-term solution: to help the overflowing traffic stream move smoothly on the 14-kilometre-long dual carriage way that runs between Star Gate and Hotel Metropole.
In its annual development programme for the fiscal year 2016-17, the provincial government has allocated a sum of Rs10 billion for 21 new projects in the city. Of these, six fall on Sharae Faisal, costing more than Rs2.5 billion, which is around 26.4% of the total amount.
Sindh transport dept makes promises it rarely keeps
A new underpass will be constructed at Star Gate, the two tracks of Sharae Faisal will be widened till Hotel Metropole, a U-turn will be built at Natha Khan Bridge, the Drigh Road flyover will be demolished, the Baloch Colony flyover — located off Sharae Faisal — will be remodelled and another underpass will be built at Regent Plaza.
Apart from this, another underpass has been proposed for Submarine Chowrangi in Clifton. Overall, the three underpasses will cost Rs1.5 billion. Moreover, money has been allocated for 10 road construction and rehabilitation schemes, three water, one fire fighting and one zoo projects.
Given that the excise and taxation department recorded over 3.6 million registered motor vehicles in 2014, it is perhaps prudent that the Sindh government has given more importance to construction and remodelling of road networks in the city in the proposed development programme.
Sindh govt presents Rs869 billion budget
Three new flyovers
The Sindh government has allocated Rs1.9 billion for three new flyovers in the city. The one at Shaheen Complex, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto flyover, is the third-most expensive mega scheme announced for the current fiscal year, with an estimated cost of Rs800 million.
A replacement flyover will be built at Drigh Road after demolishing the existing one and the third one will be built at Manzil Pump in Landhi, connecting with the National Highway.
Repairing what’s broken
Of the city’s development package of Rs10 billion, 47.2% goes towards the construction and repairs of 10 roads in the city. The government is spending Rs1.6 billion for the construction of University Road from Hasan Square to NIPA and from NED University to Safoora Chowrangi. For the reconstruction of Tariq Road, Rs550 million have been allocated. The other projects fall within Surjani, Baldia and Malir towns.
Upgrading water filtration plant
The government has also shown commitment to fixing Karachi’s water woes by allocation Rs900 million for the upgrade of the water filtration plant at Pipri. The existing capacity of the Pipri plant is to filter around 50 million gallons per day (MGD). The authorities are planning to take it up to 100MGD.
Moreover, the government has allocated money to install a 16-inch-diameter pipeline in Metroville and construct a storm water drain near Jinnah International Airport.
Other projects
Meanwhile, the government has allocated Rs499 million for the upgrade of fire fighting at high-rise buildings while the zoo has been allocated Rs150m for rehabilitation and improvement. All these projects, except the fire fighting one, are subject to approval from the relevant authorities.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2016.