KARACHI: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has finalized an extensive plan to upgrade more than 26 major streets of various towns of the city.
The proposal of Rs 9 billion will be submitted for approval under the Special Karachi Development Grant from the Provincial Government.
This mega initiative by KMC will help ease the traffic flow in the country’s biggest metropolis.
A high-level meeting in this regard was held at the KMC Head Office, which was chaired by Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab. It was also attended by Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, Municipal Commissioner KMC Syed Muhammad Afzal Zaidi, Special Secretary Local Government Syed Azhar Shah, Financial Advisor Gulzar Abro, Senior Director Coordination Ikhlaq Yousafzai, Director Media Daniyal Siyal.
A comprehensive review of various development schemes and urban improvement programs was conducted.
It was decided that all shortlisted schemes would be finalised and forwarded for approval under the Special Karachi Development Grant, ensuring swift initiation of work across the city.
The rehabilitation plan focuses on the most burdened and frequently used arteries in different districts of the city. The targeted roads those which are heavily burdened with daily commuters’ movement but have long suffered from wear, congestion, and inadequate maintenance.
Key Roads Identified for Rehabilitation included in the District Central: Hashim Raza Road, Shahrah-e-Usman, Al-Amna Avenue, Shahrah-e-Usman to Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan, among others. In the District West: Orangi Link Road, Gulshan-e-Ghazi, 19-D Road, Faqir Colony roads, Additional internal connectors. In District East: Sehba Akhtar Road, Sardar Usman Ali Sabri Road, Nash Kazmi Road, Other key routes connecting residential and commercial neighbourhoods. In the District South: Garden Road, Mirza Adam Road, Sarwar Shaheed Road, strategic adjoining streets. In the District Korangi: Jinnah Square Road, Liaquat Market Road, multiple adjoining access routes. In the District Malir: Khokar Par Road, Mehran Depot arteries, additional roads forming the core Malir traffic grid.
The estimated cost for road rehabilitation across these districts amounts to Rs 5.5 billion. Additional proposals approved for the development package, to ensure holistic urban improvement, KMC has also proposed Rs 1 billion for sewerage infrastructure rehabilitation, Rs 2 billion for citywide street-light rehabilitation and enhancement.
These initiatives are part of KMC’s broader vision to modernise Karachi’s infrastructure and address chronic urban challenges through sustainable and long-term planning.
Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab emphasised that the development package will significantly ease travel for millions of residents, reduce congestion, and enhance safety and accessibility across all towns of the city.
The proposed Rs 9 billion special grant reflects a strong commitment to improving Karachi’s infrastructure and ensuring that development is visible, impactful, and equitable.
KMC officials reaffirmed that once approved, the road rehabilitation projects will be executed on priority, with strict monitoring mechanisms to ensure quality and timely completion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.