Rs1.7tr projects rolling full steam ahead in city

The Sindh government says development projects worth over Rs1.7 trillion are currently underway in Karachi, with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stressing that the top priority is ensuring that no citizen is displaced during execution of large-scale infrastructure schemes aimed at reshaping the city's transport and economic landscape.

Speaking at Shahrah-e-Bhutto opening ceremony, the chief minister said the new Karachi Port to Qayyumabad Corridor would further integrate the city's transport network and strengthen commercial activity linked to the port.

The proposed extension, spanning around 16.5 kilometres from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Karachi Port's East Wharf and SAP Terminal, will include a four-lane carriageway with spur links, interchanges and tolling facilities, at an estimated cost of Rs64.20 billion.

Provincial Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said the corridor would provide dedicated connectivity for cargo and commercial traffic moving to and from Karachi Port, helping reduce congestion on urban roads and improving logistics efficiency. He added that shifting heavy vehicle flow away from residential and commercial arteries would enhance road safety and streamline operations for importers and exporters.

According to CM Special Assistant Syed Qasim Naveed Shah, Shahrah-e-Bhutto – launched in May 2022 – currently handles over 23,800 vehicles daily in terms of capacity, while around 17,000 vehicles already use the Qayyumabad-to-Quaidabad section on an average day.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said Shahrah-e-Bhutto represents more than a road project, describing it as a symbol of the Pakistan Peoples Party's Pakistan Peoples Party commitment to improving urban infrastructure. He said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is simultaneously executing multiple projects aimed at easing congestion, improving connectivity and upgrading civic facilities across the city.