Malir River Bridge completion scheduled for May 2026, CM Murad

Valued at Rs. 3,006.690 million, 65% of the physical construction is now finalised

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has officially set May 2026 as the final deadline for the completion of the Malir River Bridge.

The Chief Minister's directive came following an evaluation of the project’s progress by a specialised team from the Planning and Development (P&D) Department, which also inspected the N-5 Murghi Khana bridge in Quaidabad to ensure regional connectivity standards are met. Previously, in December, the date set for the completion of the bridge was March 2026, but it has now been extended.

Technical briefings presented to the Sindh CM reveal that the project, valued at Rs. 3,006.690 million, has 65% of physical construction now finalised. On the fiscal side, approximately 61.6% of the total budget has already been utilised. CM Shah underscored that while speed is essential, the "quality of developmental work remains paramount," warning officials that no shortcuts would be tolerated as the project enters its final phases.

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To ensure the structural longevity of the bridge, the P&D team conducted Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on-site to verify concrete strength, alongside rigorous measurement checks for girders and transoms. The team reported that the current pace of work is satisfactory, though certain external hurdles remain.

Addressing logistical bottlenecks, the Sindh CM took notice of delays caused by utility shifts. He directed that formal letters be issued to K-Electric to expedite the relocation of their infrastructure, which currently hinders progress. Furthermore, he ordered the immediate procurement and stockpiling of gravel and aggregate base materials for the ramps, noting that a seamless supply chain is the only way to guarantee the project stays on track for its 2026 inauguration.

In 2022, traffic police requested the expansion of the bridge, the first bridge built on the Malir River in the city's history. They sent a letter to the Karachi Commissioner in this regard, stating that the National Highway Authority built the Malir Bridge in 1970. The bridge has two lanes on each side. To ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce commute times for citizens, it is necessary to widen the bridge from two to four lanes for the swift flow of all vehicular traffic.