Karachi Infrastructure Upgrades: $21.5 Billion Investment for Roads and More

Karachi ⁢Roads to Receive $130⁢ Million in ⁢Repairs

Karachi will see significant improvements to its road infrastructure‌ following Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah‘s approval of a⁣ Rs21.53 billion‍ (approximately $130 million USD) package on Friday. The funding includes a Rs13 billion grant-in-aid ‍specifically for ‍rehabilitating roads managed ⁣by ⁤Town Municipal Corporations⁤ (TMCs).

The⁤ initiative ⁣aims to alleviate‌ traffic congestion, enhance public safety, and stimulate economic activity throughout the city, ⁣according to⁣ a statement from ⁢the Chief Minister’s office.The decision followed a meeting ‍at CM House attended by key officials including Local Government Minister Nasir Shah,Karachi Mayor⁢ Murtaza Wahab,and Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah.

24 ⁣tmcs across Karachi requested funding to repair severely dilapidated roads⁣ and streets. Due‍ to financial constraints, these TMCs were unable to carry out the works independently.

Officials reported that 409 roads across seven districts require attention, ‌with 400 ‍needing ‌patching and nine requiring complete reconstruction. The total estimated cost for these repairs is Rs10.93 billion. An additional Rs1.64 billion is ‌allocated for concurrent sewerage and water ⁣supply projects, bringing the‌ total project⁢ cost to Rs12.57 billion.

District-wise, Malir has the most ⁤roads‍ slated for⁣ repair (98), followed ‌by West (81), Central (53), south (50), ‍East (49), Korangi⁤ (39), and Keamari (39). Keamari District is ‍projected to have the highest repair costs at ⁤Rs2.32 ​billion,⁤ closely ⁢followed by West at Rs2.31 billion and East at Rs1.85 billion.

Significant⁤ allocations within the TMC scheme include Rs1.75 billion for TMC Manghopir, Rs960 million for TMC Gadap, Rs944 million for TMC ‍Baldia, and Rs858 million for TMC mauripur. ⁤ ‍Repairs ⁤will focus on patchwork for most roads, with complete rehabilitation planned for select areas in ‍Gulberg, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Sohrab Goth, Orangi, ⁢Manghopir, Saddar, and Landhi.

This proclamation builds on previous commitments.Chief Minister Shah referenced his January 7th instructions for​ the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to rehabilitate 26 major roads (Dawn). The ⁤KMC’s‍ assessment⁣ estimates​ costs at Rs5.53⁢ billion for road reconstruction and resurfacing,⁤ with an additional Rs1 ⁤billion each​ for urgent water and ​sewerage repairs, stormdrain ‍construction, and streetlight upgrades, totaling ⁣Rs8.53 billion.

Shah emphasized the importance of swift road repairs for economic growth and public convenience, directing departments to expedite approvals and ensure project quality and transparency. He‌ stated that public amenities and citizen‌ safety are⁤ the Sindh government’s top priorities.

The Finance Department ⁣has been instructed to‍ instantly ‌release ‌funds‌ to begin work on damaged roads, sewerage systems, and streetlights. The total cost ⁢of the TMC scheme is Rs10.93 billion for road work, plus Rs1.64 billion for⁤ sewerage⁢ and water, Rs628 million for Sindh Revenue Board‌ charges, and​ Rs125 million for contingency, totaling Rs13.32‌ billion.

To minimize disruption, Shah directed coordinated execution of⁢ road, ​sewerage, ​and⁤ water supply projects. He also reiterated ⁤the importance of transparency, quality control, and timely completion. This​ initiative follows a Rs25 billion package announced​ in November after heavy rains caused extensive⁣ damage to Karachi’s infrastructure (Dawn).