KMC boosts municipal capacity with induction of more heavy vehicles
KARACHI: For enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening municipal service delivery, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, on Thursday, inducted more new heavy vehicles into Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s fleet.
At a ceremony held at KMC Head Office, the Mayor formally handed over the vehicles to different KMC departments i.e. Engineering, Anti-Encroachment, Parks and Veterinary Department. This mechanical enforcement will help improve mobility and effectiveness in carrying out essential municipal functions while promoting the independent utilization of KMC’s own resources.
The procurement was financed through proceeds generated from the auction of obsolete vehicles, with an allocation of Rs 110 million approved for the purchase of heavy-duty vehicles, including mount trucks, acquired from FAW Automobile Industries. At the ceremony, Parliamentary Leader in the KMC City Council, Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, KMC officers, and other staff members were also present.
The Mayor, on this occasion, said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is incurring expenditures for the improvement of civic amenities from its own resources and budget. He said that KMC’s revenue has increased through a positive strategy and that available resources are being utilized in an effective manner. KMC now has sufficient resources to carry out development works simultaneously, from neighbourhood streets to major infrastructure projects.
He informed that, with the approval of the KMC Council, a decision was taken to auction unused and scraps items, as a result of which Rs 227 million were generated. Using these funds, five new heavy vehicles were purchased. Two vehicles have been allocated to the E&M Department, while one vehicle each to the Anti-Encroachment, Parks, and Veterinary departments. He said that five more vehicles will soon be purchased, while the repair of five buses has also been completed.
Speaking about development projects, the Mayor Karachi said that work is underway on Jahangir Road and the alternative road of Natha Khan Bridge, and that he himself will visit these projects. Work on the Bhains Colony flyover is also progressing rapidly, and he expressed hope that this long-standing issue of the people of Malir will be resolved within the next few weeks.
He announced that a new flyover will be constructed on the route from Shahrah-e-Bhutto to the airport, adding that the target is to complete ongoing development works within 100 days.
Mayor Karachi said that this year is the year of development projects and that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is going to spend Rs 46 billion across the city. Development activities are underway in every district and every area of the city, and the progress is clearly visible. He said that Rs 600 million will be spent in the Old City area, benefiting residents of Jodia Bazaar, Lee Market, and Napier Road, while the ongoing works on Shahrah-e-Liaquat will also be completed soon.
He said that the Korangi Causeway Bridge will soon be opened for citizens, while the EBM Causeway has been completed by the representatives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He said that the Baloch Colony Expressway, Murghi Khana Flyover, and other projects will also soon be presented to the citizens as gifts.
It was also announced that different phases of the Red Line project will be opened for the public in March and July 2026.
Responding to a question, Mayor Karachi said that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is visiting Karachi and will be provided full security and protocol. However, no one will be allowed to make the city hostage. “We have an objection to political activities, but the city should not be paralysed.”
About the issue of stray dogs, the Mayor Karachi said that if neutering is carried out, one group becomes unhappy, and if culling is done, another group objects. However, he is a supporter of animal rights. A balanced solution to the issue will be adopted.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026