| KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved essential infrastructure projects aimed at improving Karachi’s traffic flow and enhancing connectivity with neighboring areas. In a high-level meeting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board held at CM House, Murad Ali Shah reviewed progress on multiple projects, including the Malir Expressway, the Kathore Interchange, and the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge.
Malir Expressway & Kathore Interchange
The Malir Expressway, designed as a six-lane thoroughfare, is expected to significantly improve travel time and traffic flow in Karachi. However, the project faces a challenge at the two-lane Kathore Interchange, located on the M-9 motorway, where the current layout could lead to traffic bottlenecks.
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To resolve these issues, Chief Minister Shah approved the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and widening of the Kathore Interchange to match the expressway’s increased traffic capacity. He appointed a technical consultant to conduct feasibility studies to aid in the design and modification of the interchange. This upgrade, developed in consultation with the National Highway Authority (NHA), is expected to eliminate potential congestion points and streamline traffic through the expressway.
Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge
Another priority for the Sindh government is the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge, which has experienced delays. Originally launched in August 2020, construction was halted in July 2023 but resumed in May 2024, achieving 50% progress so far. The bridge, once completed, will provide critical connectivity over the River Indus, linking the Ghotki and Kandhkot regions and easing travel for residents and commercial transport.
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The NHA has issued a provisional No Objection Certificate (NOC) for various access points to connect the bridge with key roadways, including N-5 and N-55, while the CM approved an additional Rs2 billion in funding from the Sindh government’s Viability Gap Funding to expedite the project’s completion.
The approved projects are expected to foster improved connectivity and economic development across Sindh. The meeting was attended by senior provincial ministers, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and other key officials. |
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