KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has sanctioned pivotal infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing Karachi’s traffic flow and connectivity with surrounding regions. In a high-level meeting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board at CM House, Shah evaluated progress on key projects, including the Malir Expressway, the Kathore Interchange, and the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge.

According to Zameen.Com, the Malir Expressway is designed as a six-lane passage expected to notably improve travel time and traffic flow in Karachi. The project, however, confronts a challenge at the two-lane Kathore Interchange on the M-9 motorway, where the current configuration could result in traffic bottlenecks. To address this, Chief Minister Shah has endorsed the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and expansion of the Kathore Interchange to accommodate the expressway’s increased traffic capacity. A technical consultant has been appointed to conduct feasibility studies for the design and modification of the interchange. This upgrade, developed in collaboration with the National Highway Authority (NHA), is anticipated to resolve potential congestion points and promote smoother traffic through the expressway.

Another priority for the Sindh government is the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge, which has faced delays. Initially launched in August 2020, construction was halted in July 2023 but resumed in May 2024, reaching 50% completion thus far. Once finished, the bridge will provide essential connectivity over the River Indus, linking the Ghotki and Kandhkot regions and facilitating travel for residents and commercial transport.

The NHA has granted a provisional No Objection Certificate (NOC) for multiple access points to link the bridge with significant roadways, including N-5 and N-55. Additionally, the Chief Minister approved an extra Rs2 billion in funding from the Sindh government’s Viability Gap Funding to accelerate the project’s completion. The approved projects are projected to promote enhanced connectivity and economic growth across Sindh. The meeting was attended by senior provincial ministers, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and other key officials.