CM sets Eid deadline for Shahrah-e-Bhutto completion

Shah orders round-the-clock work on Red Line, flyovers and key road schemes

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday directed his administration officials to expedite work on major development projects in the metropolis, including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line corridor, Shahrah-e-Bhutto and Pahlwan Goth Road, while stressing that quality and transparency must not be compromised.

During an early morning visit to multiple under-construction sites, CM Shah reviewed ongoing infrastructure work and issued on-the-spot instructions to relevant departments. He announced that Shahrah-e-Bhutto would be opened for traffic before Eid, terming it an "Eid gift for Karachi," and directed that mixed traffic lanes along the Red Line corridor be completed within two months.

The chief minister was accompanied by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Planning and Development Minister Jam Khan Shoro, and Mayor Murtaza Wahab.

The visit began from Peeli Chowrangi to Safura Chowrangi along the Red Line corridor, followed by inspection of rehabilitation work at Pahlwan Goth Road. Later, he reviewed progress on Shahrah-e-Bhutto from Azimpura Flyover to Kathore and directed teams to accelerate construction activity.

CM Shah said the government's priority was to ensure smooth traffic flow and provide modern, safe and reliable infrastructure to citizens.

He warned that any delay or compromise on quality in development projects would not be tolerated.

Officials briefed the chief minister that work on mixed traffic lanes, patchwork and road rehabilitation was continuing as per directives. Adjustments to New Jersey barriers were underway to widen road space, while drainage improvement work was in progress at NIPA to address recurring water accumulation.

CM Shah expressed concern over repeated waterlogging at NIPA and directed authorities to find a permanent solution, stating that such issues were unacceptable.

He was informed that asphalt work was being carried out during night hours to minimise inconvenience to commuters, while machinery and manpower had been deployed across multiple sections of the project.

During the briefing on Shahrah-e-Bhutto, officials said 93 per cent of the 38-kilometre corridor from Jam Sadiq Interchange to M-9 Kathore Interchange had been completed. All bridges have been constructed, while asphalt work is in its final stages.

They added that expansion joints would be completed within 10 days and the remaining work is expected to be finished within two weeks.

The chief minister directed that construction continue round the clock and stressed the need for effective traffic management and safety measures during execution.