- Shahrah-e-Bhutto to reduce traffic pressure within city: Sindh CM.
- CM orders all mixed traffic lanes along Red Line to be completed.
- Work on BRT Red Line project progressing at good pace: Sindh minister.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday announced that Shahrah-e-Bhutto would be opened for traffic before Eid ul Adha, describing the opening of the road as an “Eid gift to the people of Karachi”.
The Sindh CM made the announcement following an inspection of major infrastructure projects across the city.
“Shahrah-e-Bhutto will significantly reduce traffic pressure within the city and improve connectivity between M-9 and N-5 highways,” he said, adding that heavy traffic will be shifted out of the city, providing relief to the residents of Karachi.
“This road is not just another project; it will serve as a lifeline for Karachi’s economy,” the Sindh CM said.
During an inspection of the under-construction Azeempura flyover in Shah Faisal Colony, he directed Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab to complete the project in 90 days.
The flyover is part of Shahrah-e-Bhutto, which is being constructed near Shah Faisal Junction to provide signal-free passage for traffic to and from Jinnah Terminal and adjoining areas.
The Sindh CM also ordered authorities to expedite work on Karachi’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line corridor, saying all mixed traffic lanes along the Red Line corridor should be completed within two months.
“The Red Line and Shahrah-e-Bhutto are critical corridors for the city and there will be no unnecessary delays or compromises in quality,” he added.
Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon defended the delays in the Red Line BRT project and said difficult but necessary decisions had been taken to move the work forward.
“This delay was not due to government negligence,” Memon told the media during his visit to the Red Line project site.
He said work on Lot 1 and Lot 2 was progressing at a good pace, particularly after responsibilities were assigned to the Border Works Organization (FWO).
The minister added that the previous contractor had received warnings and payments had been cleared, but the pace of work did not improve.
Memon acknowledged the public inconvenience and said authorities were aware of the difficulties commuters face due to the ongoing construction.
However, he emphasized that infrastructure work in urban centers like Karachi presented unique challenges.
Work in cities is much more complicated, he said, explaining that authorities cannot immediately shut down gas, electricity and water lines.
The minister said efforts were underway to reopen mixed traffic lanes at the end of July to ease congestion.
