Connecting Kandhkot and Ghotki: Construction of Rs7b bridge approved

CM wants work on the project to be started by November

KARACHI: Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved the construction of a bridge on the Indus River to connect Kandhkot and Ghotki. The project will be launched through public private partnership and should be started by November.

He said this while presiding over a meeting on the road sector on Monday. The CM said that there was a lot of traffic pressure particularly of heavy goods transport at Kandhkot to and from Punjab. Therefore, there is a dire need to construct a bridge on the Indus River to connect Kandhkot and Ghotki, he said.





Chief highways engineer Prem Talreja said the proposed bridge will cost Rs7 billion. They are currently searching for investors to engage in with public private partnership, he added. Work on the bridge will be started as soon as the investment is offered, he assured.



The proposed bridge will be two kilometres long. There will be a 10km approach road from Ghotki and a 13km road from Kandhkot.

Planning and development minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani proposed that the construction of a bridge on Indus River would increase traffic pressure on Kandhkot, therefore a bypass on the Kandhkot-Thul Road should be constructed to connect it with the Indus Highway. The CM directed the planning and development department to include the bypass proposal in the project and start work.

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