Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway: Repairs to be completed tomorrow

Pits had formed on the main thoroughfare due to monsoon rains

KARACHI: The repair and renovation work on one track of the Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway starting from the Qayyumabad Roundabout till City School PAF chapter will be completed on Tuesday.

According to site engineer Muhammad Ali Sheikh, the repair work was begun on September 22 under the Sindh government's projects directorate, which will be supervised by the local government department.



The road's already dilapidated state was worsened by the monsoon rainfall in August, causing massive traffic jams and accidents during rush hour. Sheikh added that the 3.75 kilometre stretch is being paved at an angle so that that during rainwater will not create anymore pits on the road thereby ensuring smooth traffic flow.

The expressway's two tracks required urgent attention as they receive huge amounts of traffic, being main arteries that transport commuters from districts Central, East and West to districts South and Korangi.

While talking about the condition of the adjacent track, Sheikh added that they have been tasked with the complete repair work of a single track while on the other track going towards Qayyumabad only the pits are being filled. "I assure you that not a single pit will appear in the next 12 months as we have completely removed the previous material and filled the road with new material," he vowed.

Director of the project, Niaz Ahmed Soomro, told The Express Tribune that soon work will begin on the adjacent track but failed to mention a specific date. Regarding the current work, he said the beautification of the road will also be carried out, including use of reflectors and lane marking. However, he 'could not remember' the project's budget.



Commuter Muhammad Fahad said for the past two years the road's condition has been very good, however, the authorities failed to address the issue of the pits that started to form, causing the road's condition to worsen significantly. He said the repair work will be a relief for those who use this thoroughfare daily as the pits had been causing accidents for motorcyclists.

Mushtaq Amin, a factory employee working in Korangi Industrial Area, said the slow pace of traffic on the road has provided mobile snatchers a golden opportunity. He fell victim to such thieves two weeks ago, he lamented.

East traffic SP Qamar Rizvi said there was a dire need to repair the expressway as the dilapidated tracks lead to slower traffic during rush hours.

He added that the road is one of the most important thoroughfares of Karachi as commuters coming from Defence Housing Authority and Korangi Industrial Area use it to travel to Sharae Faisal and Bahadurabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2016.