Munawwar Chowrangi underpass opens to traffic

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday inaugurated the Munawwar Chowrangi underpass, opening it for traffic and public use.

The project, linking key commercial and residential areas of the metropolis, is expected to ease congestion and cut commute times. A large number of elected representatives, senior officials, engineers and citizens attended the ceremony.

Constructed by the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), the underpass stretches around 500 metres and has a width of 24 feet to accommodate two-way traffic.

Officials said the project was completed in 16 months at a cost of approximately Rs2 billion.

Addressing the gathering, Nasir Shah said the underpass had been opened for commuters, adding that its formal inauguration would be carried out by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

He said improving Karachi's infrastructure and resolving long-standing traffic issues remain key priorities of the provincial government, with multiple development schemes underway across the city.

The minister said that funds had been earmarked for the rehabilitation and construction of major roads, while town administrations were executing development works in their respective areas. He added that complaints regarding construction quality were being investigated and no negligence would be tolerated.

Nasir Shah also rejected calls for the creation of a new province, saying Sindh is a unified entity that cannot be divided. He said those portraying Karachi as unlivable were ignoring ground realities, pointing to the completion of several flyovers, underpasses and road projects.

He added that the removal of illegal marriage halls built on playgrounds was a key achievement of the current administration, restoring public spaces for citizens.

Mayor Wahab, speaking on the occasion, said that the city government would continue to push forward with development initiatives, urging citizens to compare the current pace of work with previous years.

He added that although the project had a completion timeline of 24 months, it was delivered ahead of schedule due to effective planning and continuous oversight.

Wahab said that work on roads, flyovers, underpasses, parks and playgrounds was progressing across Karachi, adding that an industrial park would soon be inaugurated by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He said that the pace of development would further accelerate over the next year, with citizens expected to witness visible improvements.

Referring to a proposed flyover at Disco Bakery Chowrangi, Wahab said the project has been put on hold at the request of the relevant town chairman from Jamaat-e-Islami.

Residents welcomed the opening of the underpass, expressing hope that it would help reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity between key parts of the city.