Malir Expressway phase-I likely to open in Aug

CM also orders expediting work on Hub Canal rehabilitation project

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, reviewing the progress of major development works in progress in the city, directed the Local Government department to expedite work on the Malir Expressway so that its first phase could be opened for the public in the second week of August.

He also directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to start work on the rehabilitation of the Hub Canal project on the first of August so that it could be completed within a year.

The CM issued these directives while chairing a meeting at the CM House here Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Minister Local Govt Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Secretary LG Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, CEO Water Board Salahuddin, PD Malir Expressway Niaz Soomro and other concerned.

Briefing the progress of the Malir Expressway project, the CM was told that the segment-one (1km-15km) from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Shah Faisal Colony was 77 per cent complete. The physical progress of segment-two (15km-38km) from Shah Faisal Colony to Kathore was 29 per cent complete.

Minister Local Govt Saeed Ghani informed the chief minister that the progress on Jam Sadiq Bridge connectivity had reached 13 per cent. Additionally, the EBM Interchange, Pir Bukhari Nullah Bridge, Chakora Nullah Bridge and Shah Faisal Interchange have reached 96, 99, 99 and 90 per cent completion respectively. However, work on Quaidabad Bridge connectivity stands at eight per cent.

It may be noted that work on the 38.681 km-long Malir Expressway was started on May 12, 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2025. It has three into three (six lanes) lanes and the length of the carriageway is 30.9km. It would have six interchanges and two Toll plazas.

The CM directed the Local Government department to expedite the work on segment-1 and he would open it on August 14 for the public.

Regarding the Hub Canal, the CM was informed that his government has started the project known as the rehabilitation of the existing canal and appurtenances construction of a new canal 100 MGD and upgrade the existing canal for Rs12.73 billion.

The CM said that with the rehabilitation of the existing canal water supply to West, Central and Keamari districts would be increased by 30 to 35 per cent.

He added that with the construction of new canal along the existing canal, these three districts would be receiving 200MGDs.