Motorists brace for more trouble as University Road closes for water project in Karachi

U-turn under Nipa Bridge towards Hassan Square closed to traffic, with vehicles being diverted to alternative routes

KARACHI:

Citizens commuting on the battered University Road will suffer new round of torture as the city’s authorities plan to completely shut a portion to lay six- feet and eight-feet wide water pipelines.

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Improvement Project has begun laying large-capacity water pipelines along University Road under the K-IV project from Monday. As part of the first phase, the U-turn beneath Nipa Bridge towards Federal Urdu University and the Hassan Square service road have been closed to traffic, with vehicles being diverted to alternative routes.

Officials clarified that reports claiming a complete 51-day closure from Hassan Square to Nipa Chowrangi are incorrect. They said the construction will be carried out in phases at selected points along both tracks of University Road. The project involves laying 96-inch and 72-inch pipelines on either side of the Red Line corridor. Work is scheduled for completion by December 31.

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The traffic police, KDA Traffic Engineering Bureau and the water project authorities have jointly prepared a diversion plan. Announcements regarding temporary closures and alternate routes will be issued through media platforms. Machinery and pipelines have already been moved to the site.

According to the traffic police spokesperson, small vehicles are being diverted via the route under Nipa Bridge towards Aziz Bhatti Park, while traffic over the bridge remains open. Commuters are advised to call the traffic helpline 1915 for guidance.

Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Municipal Chairman Dr Fawad Ahmed said citizens are already facing severe inconvenience due to ongoing Red Line construction. He noted that the area includes three major universities, offices, hotels and residential settlements, and daily traffic volume is extremely high.

He added that without proper planning and alternative route development, students, patients and daily commuters will continue to suffer from traffic congestion, dust and long delays. He urged the government to expedite work and repair alternate routes to minimize public hardship.