KDA DG says Karimabad Underpass likely to open by April

KARACHI:

The Karachi Development Authority (KDA) director general has announced yet another completion date for the long-delayed Karimabad underpass project. Despite repeated deadlines, the scheme continues to face delays, causing mounting frustration for commuters. The latest timeline sets April as the target for inauguration.

According to details, DG KDA Asif Jan Siddiqui stated that the underpass will be completed two weeks after Eid-ul-Fitr. The project, launched on December 30, 2023, was originally scheduled to finish within a year. Stretching 1.2 kilometers, the underpass was initially estimated at Rs1.35 billion. However, repeated delays have driven costs up by 195 percent, with the revised figure now standing at Rs3.8 billion.

The project's completion deadline was first extended to 18 months, then pushed to mid-2025, and later to the end of 2025 - all of which passed without delivery. Siddiqui attributed the major delay to the relocation of K-Electric's transmission lines, which consumed significant time. He confirmed that the lines were removed last week, clearing the way for final construction.

"Only 90 meters of roof installation remains, after which the road surface will be laid," Siddiqui said, adding that the underpass is expected to open in April.