CM forms body to clear encroachments from key roads in Karachi

Sindh’s chief minister on Tuesday identified ongoing development projects, damaged roads, drainage issues, illegal parking and rampant encroachments as major contributors to Karachi’s severe traffic congestion.

During a meeting he chaired to discuss the deteriorating state of the city’s infrastructure, CM Murad Ali Shah highlighted the role of drug addicts in damaging public infrastructure, noting that they steal steel rods, street light pipes and other materials, further degrading public spaces.

“I want the administration to relocate all drug users currently living under bridges and in slum areas. Their theft of steel rods from bridges and street lights not only defaces the city but also undermines our development efforts,” he stressed, directing civic agencies to enhance vigilance to prevent such thefts.

Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Director General Rasheed Solangi said they have begun issuing QR codes for all approvals, in line with Shah’s instructions. He said that 201 of the 425 under-construction buildings have been issued permits with QR codes, which would facilitate better regulation and monitoring.

Scanning the QR code will reveal the date of approval, the NOC for advertisement, the start and completion dates, the number of floors, and the names of the builder, architect and contractor, as well as the cost of a flat or shop based on its location and floor.

Solangi said the SBCA had identified 25 commercial buildings in District South with approved reserved car parking spaces, which the owners had illegally converted into warehouses. With the support of the city’s commissioner and police chief, six of the parking areas have been restored, three buildings have been sealed and notices have been issued to the remaining properties.

The SBCA chief also said they conducted 1,210 raids against illegal constructions and sealed several buildings, including 16 in Lyari. Shah directed the SBCA to ensure that no building is allowed to be erected illegally and that every approval is justified.

Shah also issued clear instructions to the SBCA and the administration not to permit the dumping of construction material and debris on service roads, and to seal any buildings that violate his orders. It was pointed out in the meeting that ongoing development work on the Red Line bus rapid transit project is one of the reasons for traffic congestion in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Transport Secretary Asad Zamin said work on Red Line, particularly from Hassan Square to Tank Chowk, has been expedited.

Shah directed him to ensure the completion of work on these corridors by December or January. He also instructed the administration to remove encroachments along the service road that has been opened for traffic from Hassan Square onwards.

He formed a committee comprising the local government minister, the city’s mayor and commissioner, and other relevant officials, and tasked them with identifying 10 to 15 important roads by Wednesday (today), then start removing encroachments from walkways, green belts, streets and footpaths.

He emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards encroachments on major roads, and instructed the administration, the KMC and local councils to ensure close coordination in removing encroachments.

He also stressed that once removed, encroachments should not be allowed to re-emerge at any cost. Additionally, he highlighted the need to preserve green belts, and instructed that outdoor generators placed by banks and hospitals be relocated within their premises.

A significant topic of discussion during the meeting was road-cutting, particularly in Lyari, where funds generated are not reinvested in road repair and rehabilitation, leading to subpar patchwork and rapid deterioration, while the overlapping jurisdiction of various authorities exacerbates these issues.

Shah issued directives to establish conditions for road-cutting, including a two-year moratorium on road-cutting after initial establishment. A dual cost system will also be introduced to separate costs for road-cutting and rehabilitation, minimising unnecessary digging.

Additionally, the CM decided that a centralised authority be established to grant road-cutting permissions, with the collected fees returned to the local councils. Regarding illegal parking, he emphasised the need to maintain smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion on busy roads. It was noted that designated parking spaces in plazas are often underutilised, leading to parking in service lanes and exacerbating congestion.

He directed that plazas with designated parking areas must ensure these spaces are fully functional. He also instructed deputy commissioners to identify plazas with underutilised parking spaces with the SBCA’s assistance. He mandated that parking on roads during peak hours be prohibited to reduce congestion. A media campaign will also be launched to inform the public about these new measures.