Indus crossing to ease chokehold on Lansdowne Bridge; Bhutto Expressway to be operational by April
KARACHI:
In a major push to untangle chronic congestion in upper Sindh, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved a new bridge linking Sukkur and Rohri, a project set to transform mobility across a fast-growing economic corridor. The move comes as traffic pressure on the ageing Lansdowne Bridge reaches a tipping point, with authorities racing to deliver alternative routes and fast-track key infrastructure, including the near-complete Shaheed Bhutto Expressway.
The approval was granted during the 51st meeting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board held at the Chief Minister’s House, where key infrastructure initiatives and policy reforms were also endorsed.
The proposed Sukkur-Rohri bridge will serve as an alternative route to the historic Lansdowne Bridge, significantly reducing traffic pressure and facilitating smoother movement between Sukkur, Rohri, and adjoining areas.
Briefing the meeting, Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said the twin cities of Sukkur and Rohri have developed into a single economic and urban corridor, with nearly 70 per cent of residents from Rohri, Saleh Pat and Pano Aqil commuting daily to Sukkur for jobs, education, healthcare and business activities.
At present, the Lansdowne Bridge serves as the primary crossing, while the Sukkur Barrage provides additional support. However, due to ongoing rehabilitation work, the barrage will remain closed for traffic until at least 2027, further intensifying the burden on existing routes.
The chief minister was informed that over 30,000 vehicles use the Lansdowne Bridge daily. Owing to its historic nature and structural limitations, heavy traffic, particularly vehicles heading towards national highways such as N-5 and M-5, is restricted, leading to severe congestion during peak hours and affecting emergency response services.
To address these challenges, CM Shah approved funding under the Project Development Facility (PDF) for hiring consultants. The project will be executed under the PPP model by the Sindh Local Government Department.
The new bridge will be constructed north of Bukkur Island, spanning approximately 1.5 kilometres. It will be a multi-lane facility designed to accommodate heavy commercial traffic, along with dedicated pedestrian pathways.
The PPP Board also reviewed progress on the 39-kilometre Shaheed Bhutto Expressway, which has reached 88.2 per cent completion. The chief minister directed authorities to ensure the project becomes fully operational by April 2026. Approval was also granted for the installation of solar-powered streetlights on a 4.5-kilometre elevated section near Sammu Goth, along with a 25-year maintenance plan to enhance safety and security.
Meanwhile, the board approved the feasibility study and detailed design for the Kathore Interchange to improve connectivity at the expressway’s endpoint.
The meeting further endorsed key reforms to strengthen the PPP framework. New rules were approved to scrutinise abnormal bids, with any bids exceeding or falling below the estimated cost by more than 15 per cent to be rejected.
A formal mechanism for unsolicited proposals from the private sector was also introduced, including the “Right of First Refusal” (ROFR).
