Stuck in limbo: Traffic remains a mess as funds remain amiss

Four major projects in doldrums due to fund constraints

KARACHI:

When it comes to traffic, Karachi - one of the largest conurbations in the world - is struggling. The answer was provided by the now defunct city government: build as many flyovers and signal-free corridors to smoothen the flow of traffic.

One of the beneficiaries of this scheme was supposed to be Sharae Faisal, the largest artery in the city. The plan was to build flyovers and underpasses at all major intersections to convert it into a signal-free corridor. All preparations were made and the foundation stone for the construction of an underpass at the busy Hotel Mehran intersection was laid. Alas, the city government’s tenure ended and with it, so did the focus on traffic issues.



Seven years on, the construction of this underpass is still in limbo. “The biggest impediment was seeking permission of all stakeholders,” said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) director for works and services, Niaz Ahmed Soomro. “We had to meet and negotiate with people which went on for several years.”

Now that they finally have the no objection certificates (NOCs) from all stakeholders, there is another major hurdle. “The Sindh government has yet to release the funds for the project, though they were allocated in last year’s budget,” said Soomro.

The 388-metre-long underpass, named after Nusrat Bhutto, was to be built at a cost of Rs450 million. The project was meant to be funded by the Sindh government and was supposed to be built by the KMC in eight months.

“Eight months ago, in April, the KMC set up a camp office at the site,” the director went on to say. “Due to some unfortunate reasons, however, we had to take back our machinery.”  This time, the objection was due to security reasons. “Now, we are simply waiting for the funds,” said Soomro.

Another source of contention are the underground pipelines and cables that are located exactly where the underpass is meant to be constructed.  These will have to be shifted before the start of the project. Needless to say, the KMC needs money for this too.

Shaheen Complex flyover

When questioned about the delays in the construction of the flyover at the Shaheen Complex, Soomro once again pinned it on the lack of funds.

“Earlier, the design of the flyover was deemed inappropriate and we had to modify the plans. Then, there was the main sewerage line that was coming in the way so we will have to shift that too,” he said.

Soomro added that a camp office had been set up at the site, while heavy machinery had been allocated for the job. All they are waiting now for is the release of funds. The Shaheen Complex flyover will be 175 metres long and will be built at an estimated cost of Rs536 million. Almost half of the funds of the project have already been released.

So why has the KMC not initiated the project even after receiving half the funds? Soomro said they were waiting for the whole amount to be released, for they did not want this project to stop midway as is the case in the Malir 15 and Malir Halt flyovers.

Government sticks to rhetoric

For his part, local bodies minister Sharjeel Inam Memon maintained that the construction of flyovers and underpasses was a priority for the Sindh government. “In the case of Mehran underpass and the Shaheen Complex flyovers, there were some security concerns that have now been addressed,” he said. Memon added that all funds for the projects will be released by the end of November.

Earlier, he had also assured the provincial assembly that the construction of Malir Halt and Malir 15 flyovers will be completed by the end of this year or the start of 2015.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2014.