CM orders removal of bottlenecks in timely completion

Expresses concern over delay caused due to utility relocation by K-E and SSGC

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited seven different under-construction projects on Sunday to review their progress and address bottlenecks causing delays in the completion of the Malir Expressway and Karimabad Underpass.

He was accompanied by his cabinet members Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. P&D Chairman Najam Shah, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Local Government Secretary Khalid Hyder Shah, Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, Project Director Malir Expressway Niaz Soomro, PD Mega Projects Tariq Mughal, and Engineer Khalid Masroor briefed the chief minister during his site visits.

CM Shah reviewed the Malir Expressway project, a 38.661km stretch from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Kathore on M9. The six-lane project, initiated on May 12, 2022, is expected to be completed in 26 months and will include six interchanges. Soomro informed the CM that Segment-I (Korangi to Quaidabad) is 70% complete, while Segment-II (Quaidabad to Kathore) is 30% complete.

The CM expressed concern over a three-month delay in Segment-I caused by utility relocation by K-Electric and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). K-Electric is required to relocate four installations and a high-tension line at Jam Sadiq, while SSGC needs to lower three pressure lines.

The CM instructed his secretary to arrange a meeting with both companies and directed Malir DC to resolve encroachment and land issues at the Quaidabad Interchange. He also ordered SSPs Korangi and Malir to ensure security for the workers.

The New Jam Sadiq Bridge, part of the BRT Yellow Line Corridor, will be constructed over the Malir River. The project's total cost is Rs12.531 billion, and CM Shah urged the project director to expedite the work. The Korangi Causeway Bridge, costing Rs6499.551 million, spans 2.30km, including a one km bridge and a 1.30km road. It will feature a 300-meter link to Malir Expressway and a 50-meter link to Creek Avenue. Construction began in July 2023 and is scheduled to finish in 24 months. The CM suspended the Korangi Industrial Area SHO for allowing debris dumping at the site.

Moreover, a two-plus-two-lane underpass is under construction in District Central for Rs1350 million, with 35% progress. The CM directed the KDA project director to expedite the work to minimise traffic disruptions.

The chief minister also reviewed the Bakhtiari Youth Centre project, which involves constructing a new pavilion with a dressing room, sitting area, public bath, cafeteria, and gym. It also includes repairing the existing pavilion, boundary wall, and upgrading the cricket facility with three pitches, a jogging track, and stadium lights. Moreover, a football ground with a sitting area, a road, parking, and a walkway will be built.

The project covers 15.380 acres, with a cricket ground on 7.6 acres and a football ground on 7.779 acres. It also includes two staff quarters, a generator room, an electric room, a 50,000-gallon underground tank, and a sewerage system. The total cost is Rs594 million.

The Karachi Mega project, costing Rs902.131 million, includes rehabilitating the road from Cafe Piyala, near Gulberg Chowrangi, to Rashid Minhas Road, near UBL Sports Complex. This 4.05km dual carriageway, 9.753 to 11 meters wide, improves access to Cardiac Hospital, Imam Clinic, Mamji Hospital, and Naya Nazimabad.

The road features an RCC drain and completed electrification. The project is set to conclude by the end of the week. Additionally, the reconstruction of the 6.4 km Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan from Abdullah College to Qalandria Chowk costs Rs3367.735 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2024.