KARACHI:
Contrary to popular belief, urban development is not always a positive move especially when sluggish construction work continues to obstruct the daily activities of nearby locals and businesses. The Karimabad underpass is one notorious example.
According to a survey by The Express Tribune, the recent monsoon rains caused rainwater to accumulate at the site of the underpass, halting construction work entirely for a month. Although construction work resumed a few days ago, it is progressing at an extremely slow pace. In essence, this project has become a nuisance for both shopkeepers and residents.
Mohammad Amjad, a resident living in a building near the main corridor, stated that in most countries, alternative plans for traffic and local residents’ needs were implemented before the start of any major infrastructure project. “In Karachi, people are treated like insects, and their rights are completely ignored. Construction work on the underpass is extremely slow, causing serious inconvenience for residents in terms of daily movement. Dust pollution is also a constant problem, and traffic jams have become routine,” complained Amjad.
According to information obtained from Karachi Development Authority (KDA) officials, the Karimabad underpass project is being developed under the supervision of the KDA and is funded by the Sindh Government. Although the project began in June 2023 and was supposed to be completed within two years, it has still not been finished even after the deadline has passed.
A KDA official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that in 2024, the construction remained halted for six months due to the unavailability of funds. “However, currently, there is no funding issue. Funds are being released as needed. The ongoing delay is now due to the shifting of utility lines, which is affecting progress,” claimed the official.
Chairman of UC-7 Karimabad, Zubair Wali, believed that the shifting of utility lines should have been completed before the start of the project. “Now, sewer manholes from residential and commercial properties along the main road are overflowing, and water pipelines to surrounding homes have been affected. People are facing serious difficulties reaching their homes. The project is progressing at a snail’s pace, and only around 35 per cent of the work seems to be completed. At the current pace, it may take another two years,” predicted Wali.
Dr Syed Nawaz Al-Huda, a regional planner, told The Express Tribune that the construction of the Karimabad underpass was progressing very slowly, and it was highly unlikely for it to be completed this year. “In principle, an underpass should not have been constructed here at all. The issue could have been resolved by removing encroachments and keeping traffic flowing. The ongoing underpass project is being built at a massive cost. It would have been better to use those funds to purchase large buses, which could have solved major traffic problems across the city,” opined Dr Al-Huda.
According to the original PC-1 (Project Cost-1), the estimated cost of the project was Rs1.34 billion, but due to rising construction material costs, the revised cost has reached Rs3.46 billion. The Sindh Government has approved this revised PC-1. Project Manager Junaid Ahmed stated that there was no funding issue since 70 per cent of the funds had already been released while 70 per cent of the construction work too had been completed.
“Construction work had been halted briefly due to rainwater accumulation, but work is now proceeding swiftly. The current hurdle was the shifting of utility lines, which was affecting progress. A payment of Rs60 million has been made to K-Electric, and the shifting of electric cables has begun. An undertaking has also been given to the Sui Southern Gas Company. It is hoped that both utility services will complete their relocations soon,” said Ahmed who claimed that if utility line shifting was completed on time, the underpass project will be completed by December this year.
