A new parking facility in Karachi’s Saddar area, capable of accommodating 500 vehicles, is set to become operational after Eid, Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced during a visit to the Empress Market on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Wahab said the long-standing parking challenges in Saddar were being addressed. Paver work at the new facility has been completed, and it is expected to ease congestion in one of the city’s busiest commercial zones, he added.
The mayor inspected restoration efforts underway at Empress Market, noting that the city was working to preserve its heritage while upgrading infrastructure.
Additional parking spaces are also being developed in other areas, including one near Bolton Market. Wahab said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had approached the Sindh governor for the allocation of railway land to create further parking zones.
“If we get the railway land, we can solve the parking issues on II Chundrigar Road and its surrounding areas,” he said.
Wahab also revealed post-Eid development plans, including the construction of a new bridge at Quaidabad Murghi Khana. Another bridge adjacent to the Jam Sadiq Bridge is expected to open soon, improving city connectivity.
Commenting on ongoing infrastructure projects, Wahab acknowledged delays in the underpass construction at Meena Bazaar but confirmed that the Karimabad-Meena Bazaar underpass would be completed within the year.
“The issue in Karachi has never been a lack of resources but rather a lack of intent,” he said, adding that his administration was focused on utilising existing resources more efficiently.
The mayor called for greater cooperation among stakeholders to tackle urban challenges, inviting all parties to collaborate for the city’s development. He also stressed the need for motorway projects in Sindh, particularly connecting Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
Wahab criticised the federal government for failing to initiate such projects, stating that the absence of motorways forces heavy vehicles like dumpers onto city roads, worsening congestion and posing safety risks.
“Dumpers should be banned from city roads, but due to the lack of motorways, they continue to roam freely,” he added.
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