CM Murad approves Rs21.5bn for Karachi infrastructure upgrades, including Rs13bn for improving roads

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Friday approved a comprehensive package worth Rs21.53 billion, including a Rs13bn grant-in-aid for rehabilitating and improving Town Municipal Corporations’ (TMCs) road infrastructure in Karachi.

According to a press release by the CM’s office, the initiative aims to ease traffic congestion, improve public safety, and boost economic activity in the provincial capital.

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Local Government Minister Nasir Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary to the CM Raheem Shaikh, and other relevant officers.

Nasir informed the chief minister that 24 TMCs across Karachi had requested funding to repair severely dilapidated roads and streets. Due to financial constraints, these TMCs were unable to carry out the works independently.

Wahab reported that 409 roads across seven districts of Karachi needed rehabilitation, including 400 requiring patch repairs and nine requiring complete reconstruction.

According to a breakdown presented by Nasir Shah, a total of 409 roads across Karachi’s seven districts have been identified for rehabilitation at an estimated cost of Rs10.93bn.

Of these, 400 roads would undergo patchwork repairs, while nine roads would be reconstructed end-to-end to address severe structural damage. An additional 15 per cent allocation of Rs1.64bn was needed for sewerage and water supply projects, bringing the total project cost for this component to Rs12.57bn, the mayor stated.

Citing district-wise estimates, the press release said Malir District had the highest number of roads identified for repair (98), followed by West (81), Central (53), South (50), East (49), Korangi (39) and Keamari (39).

The highest tentative cost was estimated for Keamari District at Rs2.32bn, followed by West at Rs2.31bn and East at Rs1.85bn.

The meeting was informed that 24 TMCs will implement internal road rehabilitation schemes within their respective jurisdictions.

These include major allocations for TMC Manghopir (Rs1.75bn), TMC Gadap (Rs960 million), TMC Baldia (Rs944m) and TMC Mauripur (Rs858m).

Most TMC schemes involve patchwork repairs, while selected roads in Gulberg, Gulshan, Jinnah, Sohrab Goth, Orangi, Manghopir, Saddar, and Landhi would undergo end-to-end rehabilitation, the statement noted.

CM Murad recalled his previous instructions issued at a meeting on January 7, where he had directed that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would rehabilitate 26 major roads.

During the meeting, Wahab presented the KMC’s assessment estimates, which put costs at Rs5.53bn for road reconstruction and resurfacing.

Another Rs1bn were estimated for urgent water and sewerage repairs to be managed by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), Rs1bn for stormdrain retention wall construction and reinforcement, and Rs1bn for streetlight installation and upgrades.

The total estimated expenditure for KMC-led works was Rs8.53bn, according to the press release.

CM Murad stressed that prompt rehabilitation of Karachi’s roads was essential for economic growth and public convenience. He instructed departments to fast-track approval processes and “ensure transparent and high-quality execution of all projects”.

“Amenities for the public and the safety of citizens remain the top priorities of the Sindh government,” the chief minister was quoted as saying.

He further directed authorities to guarantee “transparency, quality and timely completion of all approved schemes”.

The Sindh CM also directed the Finance Department to release funds immediately so that development work on damaged roads, sewerage systems and streetlights could commence.

Nasir informed the chief minister that the total cost of the TMC mega scheme stands at Rs10.93bn, comprising Rs10.68bn for road patchwork and Rs248m for complete road rehabilitation.

An additional 15pc (Rs1.64bn) was earmarked for sewerage and water supply works, while 5pc (Rs628m) was allocated for Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) charges, and 1pc (Rs125m) for contingency expenses. The overall TMC-related project cost has been estimated at Rs13.32bn.

CM Murad directed all relevant departments and TMCs to ensure coordinated execution of road, sewerage and water supply works to avoid repeated digging and inconvenience to citizens.

He reiterated that transparency, quality control, and timely completion would be strictly monitored.

In a similar initiative taken in November, CM Murad approved a plan presented by Wahab and announced a Rs25bn special package for Karachi after heavy rains caused extensive damage to road infrastructure.