Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday initiated a series of development projects valued at over Rs2 billion, headlined by the groundbreaking of the Azeempura Flyover, as part of a wider plan to invest Rs70 to 75 billion in the city’s infrastructure this year.
Speaking to the media after the launch ceremony in Shah Faisal Colony, District Korangi, the mayor declared 2026 as the year of completion of development projects and anticipated that collaborative efforts with various institutions could bring total development works in the city to approximately Rs100 billion.
The cornerstone of the new initiatives is the Azeempura Flyover, a project with an estimated cost of Rs1.477 billion. The 700-metre-long flyover is designed to link Shahrah-e-Bhutto to the airport corridor, significantly reducing traffic congestion at the vital Azeempura intersection, which connects Shah Faisal Town with Korangi and serves commuters from the Korangi Industrial Area.
He stated that efforts would be made to complete the flyover within an ambitious 100-day timeframe. This undertaking, supervised by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), also includes the rehabilitation and widening of surrounding roads, such as a 625-metre dual-track road from Shahrah-e-Bhutto to Shah Faisal Roundabout, and upgrades from the Malir River Bridge to Shama Shopping Centre.
Further enhancements within the Azeempura scheme involve the construction of a new drainage system for effective rainwater disposal and the installation of 93 streetlight poles with 157 lights to improve illumination and safety.
In addition to the flyover, Mayor Wahab performed the groundbreaking for the improvement and rehabilitation of Liaquat Road, Mehran Depot Road, and Hashim Raza Road. This separate project, valued at Rs 205.660 million, encompasses road reconstruction, widening, the installation of sewerage lines, and new LED street lights to upgrade basic infrastructure in parts of Malir.
The mayor also laid the foundation stone for the improvement of Jamia Millia Road, a project stretching from Malir 15 to Millat Mor. He noted that the reconstruction of this road would fulfil a long-standing demand from the hundreds of thousands of residents in Malir and its adjacent areas.
He highlighted that these launches follow the recent inauguration of the Bhains Colony Export Processing Zone Flyover and are part of a broader city-wide effort, which includes ongoing rehabilitation work on 26 other roads at a cost of Rs5.5 billion.
He announced future collaborations, including the construction of an underpass on Jinnah Avenue with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and the completion of the Munawar Chowrangi Underpass within one year.
Addressing the KMC’s financial state, Wahab acknowledged that the corporation has limited resources but assured that its budget is being managed to ensure development work continues across all seven districts. He also announced that the fund for Union Council chairmen has been increased to Rs1.3 million to better address local issues.
To improve traffic management, the mayor mentioned the deployment of 350 traffic wardens and the installation of fibre manhole covers in areas like Jodia Bazaar and Jahangir Road to prevent public inconvenience.
On International Women’s Day, he conveyed a message stating that empowered women are the foundation of a strong society, citing the contributions of figures like Fatima Jinnah and Benazir Bhutto to Pakistan”s development.
Present at the ceremony were Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, City Council Parliamentary Leader Karamullah Waqasi, and other elected representatives and officials.