FLYOVER UNDER BYPASS

BRIDGEE
 KPT underpass
With regard to the photograph of the KPT underpass published in these columns on Jan 3, the Karachi
Port Trust has issued the following clarification: ―The KPT has constructed the Clifton underpass, and
named it KPT underpass, under the Karachi Package.

Later, in year 2008-09 the said underpass was handed over to the City District Government Karachi as it
was the job of City District Government Karachi to collect revenue of outdoor display/panaflex/hoarding
advertisements as well as to provide timely maintenance whenever required. The poor state of affairs in
which the KPT underpass presently is today is not the responsibility [of] KPT.

The City District Government [now Karachi Metropolitan Corporation] has to provide proper maintenance
to the underpass to keep it shipshape.‖
(Dawn 18, 05/01/2017)

Four years later: Shafeeq Morr Bridge extension continues at snail’s pace

Sindh government has become a victim of its own failed projects, as the broadening of the Shafiq Morr
Bridge from two lanes to three, which started four years ago, has turned into a
nightmare for motorists that it is unable to manage.

Due to the construction of the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit project on Sher Shah Suri
Road and University Road simultaneously, the traffic on Rashid Minhas Road, where
the Shafiq Morr Bridge is located, has increased drastically. This bridge becomes the most troublesome
point for the traffic and remains choked for hours in the day and night.

The expansion work started in 2013 on the track from Nagan Chowrangi towards Sohrab Goth, which
was completed by 2014 after several hiccups. In 2014, work on the other track from Sohrab Goth towards
Nagan Chowrangi kicked off but this has yet to be completed.

Construction is being carried by the Sindh government‘s works and service department (WSD) instead of
the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. District Municipal Corporation Central‘s elected chairman Rehan
Hashmi claimed the project was not in their domain.

―We have taken up this matter with the authorities several times,‖ he said, adding that their attitude is
always very sluggish.

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A resident of the area, Faizan Ali, asked how the government could start construction on all the main
arteries of the city at once, without completing projects it started years ago. The widening of the Shafiq
Morr Bridge, he said, should have been completed before work on the other projects kicked off.

Reasons for the delay

In August, the monsoon season was cited as the cause of the delay in the project. WSD engineer Abdul
Mutalib had told The Express Tribune that they were unable to work due to impending rainfall. ―The work
was stopped keeping in view the monsoon season as we had to halt the flow of the water in Gujjar Nullah
to carry out the construction work,‖ he had said in August.

However, he had vowed to resume construction work by October and complete the project by December.
When The Express Tribune visited the area, the construction work was continuing at a snail‘s pace. An
engineer at the site, on the condition of anonymity, said that the work will once again stop in few days, as
the width of the bridge is now being extended from 7 to 11 metres.
Due to this, the engineer explained that the project cost has increased. The revised estimates were
approved by the Sindh government but the funds have not yet been released. According to the official,
the project was ‗full of problems since its inception‘.

He explained that the funds were released in many phases by the Sindh government, which halted its
construction. They previously received 25% of the funds after every few months, he said, adding there
were problems of encroachments and utility lines besides flaws in the project design.

Meanwhile, Mutalib explained that they will turn the two-lane bridge into a three-lane one, along with a
service road of two lanes on the portion leading towards Nagan Chowrangi, as the track receives high
volumes of traffic. There is no service road, according to him, on the other track towards Sohrab Goth,
which has already been constructed. He assured that the construction would be complete by March ‗if all
goes well‘.

Expansion Joints
Several ditches are present on the track towards Sohrab Goth, which is already completed. When asked
about those ditches, Mutalib responded that they have to be covered with the expansion joints, which
they would have to import. Once the under construction track is completed, he said that they would import
the expansion joints for both the tracks.
(The Express Tribune 15, 06/01/2017)

‘Golimar underpass to open on Jan 15’

City Mayor Waseem Akhtar on Saturday said the construction work of the Golimar underpass would be
completed by Jan 15, which would end regular snarl-ups at the Golimar intersection the citizens had
endured for years.

―Once this underpass is opened the areas in the surroundings would be rid of traffic jams,‖ said Mr Akhtar
while speaking to the media after inspecting the development work of the underpass.

―I want this underpass to be named after some renowned personality, someone who has contributed
immensely to the betterment of our society.‖

The mayor was accompanied by DMC central chairman Rehan Hashmi, municipal commissioner Badar
Jameel and others.

The mayor said the Rs450 million underpass was 375 metres long and eight metres wide.

Its construction was delayed for some time for certain reasons, which had been successfully resolved, he
added.

He asked the officials concerned to maintain good standard in construction and ensure durability.

Installation of a pedestrian bridge in the area would begin once the underpass was completed, he added.

Business community
Meanwhile speaking at a reception hosted by All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI) in his honour at its office in
Kharadar, the mayor said the business community had a major role to play in development and progress
of this city.

Chairman of AKTI Atique Mir and other traders and shopkeepers attended the programme.

―It is a good omen that all traders have gathered on one platform. We will solve problems of this city with
our unity,‖ Mr Akhtar said.
He added that for the cleanliness in Karachi, shopkeepers would be provided special bags to dispose of
garbage and other waste.

He said the business community deserved better civic facilities as it paid taxes.

―Despite having no resources and powers, we have started 100-day cleanliness drive in select union
committees of Karachi.‖

Welcoming the mayor, Atique Mir said Mr Akhtar had the spirit and desire to solve the problems of the
city.

He urged the Sindh government to give powers to the municipal governments so that they could resolve
the problems of their respective municipal bodies.
(By Hasan Mansoor Dawn 18, 08/01/2017)

Bridge linking Karachi to Manora opens after repairs

Construction of Younisabad bridge and connecting road cost Rs219 million
A 35-year-old bridge that connects Karachi to the Manora peninsula was opened on
Monday morning after its reconstruction was completed.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Local Government Minister Jam
Khan Shoro and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar inaugurated the Younisabad Bridge at Hawkesbay Y
junction by unveiling its plaque. The bridge and its connecting road have been constructed at a cost of
Rs219 million.

The launching ceremony was also attended by Karachi Commander Rear Admiral Farrukh Ahmed,
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Municipal Commissioner Dr Badar Jamil Mendhro, project director Niaz
Soomro and other senior bureaucrats and representatives of the local bodies.

The CM said the bridge was constructed in 1982 and its condition had deteriorated over the years. ―We
have not only constructed the 378-metre two-lane bridge but also the 2.14-kilometre approach roads on
both sides: the Y junction and Manora.‖

He said the locals had requested him that the road from Gulbai to the bridge be repaired. He asked the
LG minister and the mayor to plan the project and get the work started. He assured them of providing
them with funds as soon as they mapped out the proposal.

The chief executive said he had witnessed the jetty of Baba Bhit. ―Its condition is quite precarious and the
KPT [Karachi Port Trust] had to construct it, but the work was suspended.‖ He added that the DC West
visited the site on his instructions and reported to him that there were some issues with the contractor that
had been settled now.

He said he had directed Sindh Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon to talk to the KPT authorities and get the
work of the jetty completed at the earliest. On the subject of the jetty of Shams Pir, Shah said it was
constructed in 1992 and now its condition was also very poor. He directed the mayor to start its
construction at the earliest and assured him of providing the necessary funds. ―This is an important jetty
for the people of the area.‖

He also talked about the 10-billion-rupee Karachi package. ―It had 21 schemes initially but when their
execution started, two of them were found to be unfeasible. Yes, there were some teething problems...
but now work has started everywhere in the city.‖

He admitted that the pace of work was not as fast as he had envisioned but even then it was in progress
and he kept visiting them on and off to check their pace and quality. He deplored that some critics had
been saying that the projects had not been completed yet. ―Definitely, it would take some time but I
assure you that by the end of June the city would give a pleasant look.‖

He expressed satisfaction that ―work on almost all the schemes under the Karachi package has been
started and would complete well in time. And in the next budget I would allocate another Rs10 billion to
make this city beautiful‖. He added that widening and reconstruction of Sharea Faisal had already been
started and would change the view of the city.

―I am going to start a scheme for a facelift of the road connecting with the Jinnah Terminal.‖ Talking about
the recent downpour, the CM said he, the LG minister and the mayor had visited different parts of the city
and witnessed that the rainwater was draining smoothly.

―Since most of the roads and their adjoining areas are dug up for development works, there were some
traffic jams.‖ He added that most of the storm water drains had been cleaned and the encroachments
along their embankments removed, but the work was still in progress.

―We are here to serve the people and Insha-Allah Karachi would soon be counted among one of the
cleanest, widest and most illuminated cities of the world.‖

Shah said Karachi was a city of 250 million people so it had multiple problems, and one of them was law
and order. ―Today, with the support of the people of Karachi we have restored law and order and have
launched a targeted operation against street crimes and the drug mafia.‖
(The News 13, 24/01/2017)

Rs219m bridge connecting city with Manora opened

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday inaugurated a Rs219 million bridge in the Hawkesbay
area and promised to regain what he called the lost glory of the metropolis.

The Younisabad bridge at Hawkesbay Y-Junction connects the city with Manora.

The event was attended by Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar,
Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Farrukh Ahmed and others.

Mr Shah said the bridge was originally constructed in 1982 and since then its condition had deteriorated.
―We have constructed the two-lane and 378-metre-long bridge in addition to 2.14 kilometres approach
roads from both sides, Y-Junction and Manora.‖

He said the people of the neighbourhood had asked him to repair the road from Gulbai to Younisabad
bridge. He said he asked the LG minister and the mayor to plan the scheme and get the work started.

Mr Shah said he had seen the condition of the jetty leading to Baba and Bhit islands.

―Its condition is quite precarious. The KPT had begun its construction but the work was suspended,‖ he
said, adding that the deputy commissioner (West) had informed him there were certain issues with the
contractor which had been settled. He said he had directed the chief secretary to consult with the KPT
authorities and get the work of the jetty completed at the earliest.

Discussing about the condition of the Shamspir jetty, he said it was constructed in 1992 and now its
condition was poor as well.

He asked the mayor to begin its construction at the earliest, for which the provincial government would
provide necessary funds to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.

He said he was working hard to make Karachi free of crime and encroachments.
Speaking about the Rs10 billion Karachi package, he said initially it contained 21 schemes but two of
them were found to be unfeasible, thus, 19 schemes were in hand.

He said work on widening and reconstruction of Sharea Faisal had begun and it would change the city‘s
face. ―We are going to start a scheme to uplift the road connecting Jinnah Terminal.‖

He also spoke about the recent rains and said that he and the mayor had visited the city and saw the
rainwater draining out smoothly.
(By Hasan Mansoor Dawn 17, 24/01/2017)

Four years on, Malir 15 flyover yet to be completed

―Mashallah Motorcycle Exchange chand qadam agay shift ho gai hai [Mashallah Motorcycle Exchange
has been moved a little further].‖

Similar words are inscribed on banners outside the many shuttered shops at Jamia Millia Road at Malir
15. Hundreds of shops have been forced to shut down or move somewhere else during the last one year
due to the construction of the Malir 15 flyover. The project was started in 2013. Four years down the lane,
work is still in progress.

Incomplete Malir-15 flyover opened in ‘public interest’

On February 8 last year, then chief minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah and MNA Faryal Talpur had inaugurated
half of the flyover from Malir 15 bus stop to Millat Bakery after missing numerous
deadlines in the past. During the inauguration, Local Government Minister Jam Khan
Shoro had announced that the flyover‘s portion from Quaidabad to Azeempura,
which expands over the Pakistan Railways‘ land, will be completed by June, 2016.

When The Express Tribune visited the site last year in the month of September, an
official of the EA Consulting Private Limited — the consultants of the project — claimed that 100% pilling
work for the remaining portion of the flyover has been completed and now they just have to launch the
girders, after which the said section will become functional.

Almost four months later, the girders have yet to be launched at the site. The roads are completely
broken and dust engulfs the area.

Pinning the blame

Reiterating his statement, an official of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) says that even four
years after the initiation of the project, they have yet to receive a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the
Pakistan Railways. A portion of the flyover, which is under construction, has to be constructed over the
Pakistan Railways‘ track and the NOC has to be obtained from Lahore, he says.

The official points out that apart from the railway track, there are five residential quarters of Pakistan
Railways that have to be demolished. He says they have been waiting for the NOC for this for the last
four years.

After three years, Malir 15 flyover still awaits completion

―Our garters are ready,‖ he says. ―As soon as we get the NOC, we will place them.‖

Meanwhile, the divisional superintendent of Pakistan Railways in Karachi, Nisar Ahmed Memon, claims
that they issued the NOC a long time ago. ―The KMC has thrown all their debris in our area,‖ he says,
adding that the KMC should initially clean the debris and expedite their work.
Businesses affected
―Our businesses are destroying. We don‘t have money to feed our children,‖ laments the owner of Neo
MashaAllah Paint Shop. ―Look at the condition of the road. Customers don‘t make their ways to our shops
anymore.‖

Hardly two labourers working on such a huge flyover are seen in a week, says another shopkeeper, Gul
Khan. ―Gusty winds blow the entire day and we have to sit inside the shop keeping our mouths covered,‖
he says, adding that they would not have faced such a loss had the government expedited the
construction.

Abdul Razaq says he has to sprinkle water outside his tea kiosk in the area three times a day to settle the
blowing dust. ―There isn‘t any road in the area,‖ he says. ―It‘s only dust. How can our customers sit and
have a cup of tea in dust?‖

Razaq‘s business has gone down ever since the construction work kicked off in the area. ―It‘s been four
years and we have no hope that this project will ever complete,‖ he says. ―We have no option left but to
move our business now.‖

Motorcyclists at railway crossing

Despite the closure of the railway crossing over which the flyover is being constructed, several
motorcyclists ply their vehicles on the crossing. An official of the Pakistan Railways, Muhammad Ali, says
that despite the permanent closure of the railway crossing, motorcycle riders continue to ply their vehicles
over the railway track due to which several accidents take place.

Plight of the people

According to one of the residents of the area, while the alternative passage is at a little distance through a
railway culvert, it is mostly inundated with sewage water and covered in huge piles of garbage. ―People
become victim of mugging when they use the railway culvert,‖ says a resident, Muhammad Aslam.

Rehmatullah, who purchased his Qingqi rickshaw two years back at a cost of Rs0.3 million, says that due
to the road full of huge ditches, his vehicle has become so rickety that he is unable to sale it now. ―The
volume of passengers has also declined as no one uses this route,‖ he laments.
(By Oonib Azam The Express Tribune 13, 30/01/2017)

Built at a cost of over Rs450 million, Golimar underpass opens to traffic

Project took two years to complete because of the

modifications in its plan for the Green Line bus project

The Golimar underpass, named after renowned artist Sadequain (Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi), was
inaugurated on Tuesday.

The Rs450.73 million project was inaugurated by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, accompanied by
Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar, local government minister Jam Khan Shoro, Sindh
projects director Niaz Soomro, DMC central chairman Rehan Hashmi and local
government secretary Ramzan Awan.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the city‘s mayor would be given
all powers he was entitled to as per the law.
Addressing the mayor directly, he said, ―Resources are not an issue. My powers are your powers. I
request you to keep working with me.‖

Shah said many people described such projects as ―pre-election tactics‖ but another Rs10 billion would
be spent on the city‘s development after the polls.
He requested the mayor and the local government minister to identify all the projects on which Rs10
billion would be spent before July and he would approve them.

―It is unfortunate that Karachi has grown in an unplanned manner and that‘s why the city‘s infrastructure
has collapsed,‖ he noted.

―I am too a citizen of Karachi and have been visiting North Nazimabad, Hyderi and other areas. It‘s sad to
see that Karachi has lost its beauty because of the haphazard growth.‖

Speaking about the Golimar underpass, the chief minister said the project was delayed for two years as
its plan had to be modified for the Green Line bus project.

Shah maintained that the water shortage problem in Karachi would be overcome soon with the start of
phase-II of the K-IV bulk water supply project.

‗Will work jointly for the city‘

Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar while speaking on the occasion said he was grateful to the chief minister
and all stakeholders would jointly work for the development of the city.

―We will bring and end to China-cutting and bullets,‖ he added.

He said it was praiseworthy step to name the underpass after the great Sadequain.

Local government minister Jam Khan Shoro said Karachi‘s law and order problem had been brought
under control to a great extent and now several projects were under way in the city.

―Karachi is the economic hub of the country and its development is essential,‖ he added.

Projects director Niaz Soomro told The News that the underpass was supposed to be completed with
eight months, but the delay occurred because of the Green Bus project.

The total length of the underpass is 377.14 metres and the width of the main carriageway on both sides is
7.5 metres.
(By Fasahat Mohiuddin The News 13, 01/02/2017)

Sindh CM inaugurates Sadequain underpass at Golimar

Inaugurating Sadequain underpass at Golimar on Tuesday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that
the unchecked growth of Karachi has created lot of problems such as destruction of
infrastructure, emergence of settlements in slum areas and along the storm water
drains and all this has resulted in the worst law and order situation.

Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, Deputy
Mayor Dr Arshad Vohra and senior government and KMC officers attended the
inauguration ceremony.

According to the CM, the growth of the city is unplanned and a lot of new areas have emerged without
proper town planning. As a result, he said, gutters are overflowing and water is not supplied to each
household. ―On top of it, worst law and order further aggravated the situation,‖ he said. ―As a result, the
government is engaged in fighting terrorists, instead of focusing on the development of infrastructure.‖ He
added that things have now improved considerably and the government, after crushing the terrorists, has
started paying full attention to development of the infrastructure of the city.
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IG asked to increase security for mayor, deputy mayor
Karachi is the capital of the provincial government, said Shah. The city not only provides maximum
revenue to the Sindh government but also contributes a lot to the national exchequer. Therefore, he said,
it becomes the right of this city and its people to have all the facilities – not just basic ones but the
advanced ones – for which he is striving hard.

Sharing powers
Addressing the mayor, the chief minister said that they have to work together for the people of the city.
―Today, I am giving you my powers,‖ he said. ―You may exercise them for the benefit of the people and
development of the city.‖

Earlier, the local government minister briefed the CM on the Golimar underpass that has been renamed
as Sadequain underpass.

According to him, the project has been completed at a cost of Rs450.7 million. The length of the
underpass is 377.13 metres while the width of the project is 7.5 metres. He said that the project was
originally started as a flyover but with the launching of the Green Line RBT project, it was redesigned into
an underpass. This is why the project took some long time in its completion, he said.

One case to go: Freedom within Wasim Akhtar’s grasp

The mayor said that people had been facing hardships due to the prolonged construction work of the
underpass. ―Thank God that it has been completed and now the people of the area will reap its benefits,‖
he said.

Akhtar said that from now onwards, there will be no bullets or china-cutting. Instead, he said, the city will
be protected and its people will be given maximum facilities at their doorstep.
(The Express Tribune 13, 01/02/2017)

Photo opportunity: Korangi Crossing Flyover opened for public two days after
‘inauguration’
The Korangi Crossing Flyover I, despite being completed, remained closed for traffic for two days until
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered that it be opened for traffic Tuesday evening.

Controversy over the inauguration of the flyover began on Sunday. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation
(KMC) issued a media invitation on Saturday for the inauguration of the flyover‘s two-
way section, which is known as flyover I, on this road from KPT Interchange to Ibrahim
Hyderi, whose construction started back in November, 2015.

However, on Sunday, neither Shah nor Mayor Wasim Akhtar turned up for the
inauguration and the media kept waiting until street children removed the ribbons and traffic began to be
plied on the flyover. Later, an official of the project‘s contractor, Shamsher Khan and Co told The Express
Tribune they received orders from the director-general of technical services at KMC, Shahab Anwar, to
immediately close the flyover.

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An official of the KMC, requesting anonymity, said the KMC kept calling CM House on Sunday to inquire
when the CM would reach the venue to inaugurate the flyover but did not receive any
answer. Later, on Sunday, the CM House issued a clarification stating that the
inauguration was not on their schedule.

According to Shamsher Khan and Co‘s official, initially they received the order from the
KMC to make arrangements for the inauguration and a plaque was also installed on one side of the
flyover on which Sunday‘s date and the names of the CM, Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro
and mayor were inscribed. ―Later, we had to close the bridge when no officials showed up and we
received orders to immediately close the flyover,‖ said the official, adding that it was sheer
mismanagement and lack of coordination on part of the KMC and Sindh government, due to which the
public suffered for two days. Despite the completion of the flyover on Saturday, the official said the public
could not use it until Tuesday evening simply because the senior officials wanted to cut the ribbon and
gain media attention.

Further snags
The fate of flyover II, in front of Indus Hospital on the road coming from the Nasir Jump to the one leading
to the KPT Interchange, hangs in the balance. The construction of the two flyovers is part of one project.
Initially, an underpass was to be constructed at the Korangi Crossing but due to the presence of major
utility lines the idea was scrapped. A revised PC-1 of the flyover has yet to be approved.

The official explained that for the construction of flyover II, the Sindh government has yet to release
funds. The official also said that K-Electric‘s extra high-tension wires are supposed to be removed and for
that they are waiting for funds from the KMC.
(By Oonib Azam The Express Tribune 13, 15/02/2017)