The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) today unveiled an extensive programme to upgrade the city’s infrastructure, with plans to rehabilitate 183 roads across all districts in addition to those already under its administrative control.
The decision was finalised during a high-level meeting of the Engineering Department, chaired by Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, aimed at accelerating development initiatives throughout the metropolis.
Mayor Wahab directed officials to finalise all related schemes on a priority basis, stressing that tenders must be issued before Eid to ensure work can commence immediately. He underscored that no delays in execution would be tolerated.
The initiative also includes a move towards energy efficiency, with the mayor instructing that Jahangir Road be converted to solar-powered street lighting. He also called for improved management of the city’s street lighting systems in tandem with the road repairs to ensure safer, well-lit thoroughfares for citizens.
Municipal Commissioner Karachi, Ms. Samira Hussain, provided a briefing on the selection of roads for the project. The mayor instructed that major, high-traffic arteries be given precedence, while also ensuring that alternative routes are available to minimise public inconvenience during the construction phase.
The administration plans to inform citizens about potential disruptions and alternative traffic arrangements before the large-scale work begins, in an effort to maintain urban mobility.
Mayor Wahab stated that there were “no financial constraints” hindering the development works and called upon all officers and field teams to perform their duties with full commitment.
‘All civic issues facing the city will be addressed under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. We are fully committed to delivering visible and lasting change,’ the mayor was quoted as saying.
He affirmed that he would personally monitor the progress of all major projects and warned that strict action would be taken against any officials found to be negligent or inefficient.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Advisor Finance Gulzar Abro, Senior Director Engineering Junaidullah Khan, and Chief Engineers Zulfiqar Abro and Anees Qaimkhani.
The KMC aims for the programme to contribute to a “renewed, modern, and progressive urban landscape” by the end of the year.