Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved a massive Rs25 billion plan to repair, rebuild and freshly carpet Karachi’s battered road network, including 315 internal streets and 60 major arteries. The decision was taken during a high level meeting at the CM House on Monday, where he directed officials to begin work immediately to ease chronic traffic congestion and fix long-standing infrastructure damage.
Officials briefed the CM that major under-construction projects including the Korangi Causeway Bridge, Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, and Kareemabad Underpass are nearing completion, with several sections expected to open to traffic within the next few months. Energy Minister Nasir Shah added that portions of the Korangi Causeway Bridge and Shahrah-e-Bhutto will become functional within two months.
According to the briefing, 315 neighbourhood streets across Karachi require urgent repair. The CM approved all proposed schemes and emphasised the integration of proper drainage and sewerage systems to prevent repeated road damage during monsoon rains.
Under the plan, 60 major roads will be reconstructed at an estimated cost of Rs25 billion. CM Murad directed that roadwork must be synchronised with utility operations to ensure durability and prevent repeated diggings.
Officials reported that the new Korangi Causeway Bridge replacing the frequently flooded old structure is over 80% complete and expected to open by December 2025 or January 2026. The Shahrah-e-Bhutto dual-carriageway expressway, which will link DHA and Korangi with the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9), is around 78% complete, with some sections already operational.
A 22-kilometre link road between Port Qasim and M-9 is also expected to open by late 2025 to improve cargo movement, while the long-delayed Kareemabad Underpass now 85% complete is likely to be finished by year end.
Meanwhile, work on the BRT Red Line has resumed after delays, with a revised completion target of 2026. The CM also appreciated recent infrastructure and safety improvements, including new RO plants in Keamari and progress under the Safe City project aimed at reducing traffic accidents.
