Karachi: In a decisive push to enhance the city’s infrastructure, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has instructed relevant departments to fast-track the Malir Expressway and Hub Canal rehabilitation projects. The directives were issued during a high-level meeting on July 11, which focused on accelerating these critical developments.
According to Zameen.Com, the meeting included top officials such as the Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, among others. They discussed the current progress and future milestones of the city’s major projects. The Malir Expressway, a significant venture aimed at easing traffic congestion, is to open its first segment to the public by the second week of August.
The first phase of the Malir Expressway, stretching from Jam Sadiq to Shah Faisal, is reported to be 77% complete, while the subsequent stretch from Shah Faisal to Kathore stands at 29%. Notable components of the project like the EBM Interchange and Pir Bukhari Nullah Bridge are nearing completion, with progress tallied at 96% and 99%, respectively. However, the Quaidabad connectivity is lagging at only 8%. The entire 38.681 km expressway, featuring six lanes and multiple interchanges, began on May 12, 2022, and is slated for completion by June 2025.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister also greenlit the commencement of the Rs12.73 billion Rehabilitation of the Hub Canal project, set to start on August 1. This ambitious project aims to rehabilitate and expand the canal to increase water supply by 30-35% to Karachi’s West, Central, and Keamari districts. The enhanced canal is expected to provide an additional 200 million gallons per day (MGD) to these areas.
CM Shah emphasized the strategic importance of these projects for Karachi’s development and assured that both are equipped with the necessary funding from provincial government resources. He also stated his intention to personally inspect the ongoing work in mid-August to ensure timely progress.