Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed authorities to complete two major underpasses in Karachi within 30 days. The instruction was given to the Karachi mayor during a high-level meeting reviewing development projects for the fiscal year 2025–26. The chief minister made it clear that both the Karimabad and Munawar Chowrangi underpasses must be completed within one month and opened for public use without further delay.
The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of ongoing projects and identifying reasons behind delays. Officials presented detailed briefings about the physical and financial progress of different schemes currently under construction across the city.
Karimabad Underpass Nearing Completion
According to officials, the Karimabad Underpass has reached 85% physical completion. The project was launched in May 2023 with an original completion timeline of 10 months. It was initially expected to be opened in October 2024. However, due to technical complications and coordination issues, the project faced delays.
The underpass is considered a key infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion in one of Karachi’s busiest areas. Once completed, it is expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve traffic flow for thousands of daily commuters.
The chief minister expressed concern over the delay and stressed that the remaining work must be completed within the given deadline. He emphasized that the quality of construction should not be compromised while accelerating the pace of work.
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Munawar Chowrangi Underpass Progress and Budget
Work on the Munawar Chowrangi underpass, which was also initiated in 2023, has reached 75% completion. The project carries a total estimated cost of Rs2.02 billion. So far, Rs300 million has been released for the project’s execution.
The underpass is another major initiative designed to reduce traffic bottlenecks in a critical intersection of Karachi. With increasing traffic pressure in the city, the timely completion of such infrastructure projects is essential to improve mobility and reduce daily commuting stress.
The chief minister instructed officials to ensure that all pending construction work is completed within the next 30 days. He made it clear that there should be no unnecessary delays and that the project must be made operational for public benefit.
Focus on Quality, Coordination, and Traffic Management
During the meeting, CM Murad Ali Shah emphasized the importance of maintaining high construction standards while speeding up development work. He directed all relevant departments to improve coordination between provincial agencies, district administrations, and utility service providers.
One of the major issues in urban development projects is poor coordination among departments, which often leads to delays. The chief minister ordered immediate removal of administrative and technical obstacles that are slowing down progress.
He also stressed minimizing traffic disruption during construction activities. Authorities were instructed to ensure proper traffic management plans are in place so that citizens do not face unnecessary inconvenience.
Concern Over Slow Progress on Other Projects
While reviewing the overall development portfolio, the chief minister expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on some newly launched projects. He warned that strict monitoring would continue and that performance would be evaluated regularly.
CM Murad Ali Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to improving Karachi’s infrastructure. He said that development projects must deliver visible results to restore public confidence and address the city’s growing urban challenges.
With the 30-day deadline now set, all eyes are on the relevant authorities to complete the Karimabad and Munawar Chowrangi underpasses on time and provide relief to Karachi’s commuters.
