Sindh approves Rs1.5 billion for rehabilitation of Karachi roads

After facing severe criticism from provincial lawmakers over the deteriorated infrastructure of the port city, the Sindh government has finally decided to rehabilitate the roads in Karachi and approved a grant of Rs1.5 billion for repairing work.

The decision was taken in the provincial cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday.

During the meeting, it was briefed that almost 17,861,500 square feet of the road of seven districts of Karachi division need to be repaired by patchwork.

CM expressed anguish on office bearers over the damage to the roads that were constructed and repaired by the Sindh government in 2022 after monsoon rains.

"Despite the government providing funds to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Karachi Development Authority (KDA) for repairing the road, how the road situation has become worse," he said while asking about the causes of damages.

In response, Minister of Local Government Saeed Ghani said that his ministry was probing the "causes behind damages and those responsible for the loss".

CM Shah directed the minister to conduct an inquiry against contractors if the roads deteriorated before the estimated time.

“I want highly standard roads with service lane and drainage system,” he said while directing Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab to initiate the work immediately.

Mr Wahab informed the meeting that the KMC has already issued the tenders for the rehabilitation of roads.

The local authorities have planned to repair roads in District South (909,500 sq.ft.), District East (795,000 sq.ft.), District Central (832,000 sq.ft.), District West (13,759,000 sq.ft) and District Malir (625, 000 sq.ft.)

Moreover, the 395,000 sq.ft. area of flyovers and bridges in all districts will be rehabilitated within the said budget.