Rs8 billion earmarked for 19 ongoing and new mega development projects in Karachi

The Sindh government has allocated Rs8 billion for 19 ongoing and new mega development projects in Karachi in the budget presented for the upcoming financial year 2021-22.

In his budget speech on Tuesday, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said the government undertook mega projects in Karachi during the last three years for infrastructure development and rehabilitation.

He explained that 40 such projects at a total cost of Rs28 billion were initiated, of which 20 projects were completed by last year and another 20 were being completed during the current financial year.

The CM added that in addition to such projects, the Sindh government invested in other major infrastructure projects for the city through public-private partnership. Such projects included a 12-kilometre-long dual carriageway from Korangi Creek Causeway to the PAF Airmen Golf Club, and an expressway from Mauripur to Y- Junction, which is an eight-kilometre-long dual carriageway connecting the Lyari Expressway ramp on Mauripur Road to Y-Junction of Kakapir Road

Another such project is the interchange at ICI Bridge, which is a 3.06-kilometre-long road starting from 0.3 kilometre north of the ICI Bridge intersection with Mauripur Road and making an elevated right turn to merge with ICI Bridge to reduce heavy traffic pressure from the city. According to the budget document, Rs95.9 million has been allocated for the construction of a U-Turn on the Natha Khan Bridge to be completed by June 2022. Last year, Rs143.9 million was allocated for the project with June 2021 as its targeted date of completion.

The new schemes include the construction of Shahrah-e-Noor Jehan from the Abdullah College to Qalandaria Chowk at an estimated cost of Rs1.1 billion, construction of the road connecting Sher Shah Chowk with Mirza Adam Khan Road intersection in District West at an estimated cost of Rs370 million, construction of the road from Gulberg Chowrangi to the UBL Complex at an estimated cost of Rs450 million, construction of a flyover at Jauhar Chowrangi at an estimated cost of Rs627 million, rehabilitation of roads to approach the Lyari Expressway at an estimated cost of Rs200 million, and rehabilitation of internal roads and streets surrounding Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital at an estimated cost of Rs261 million and other projects.

For the local government and housing and town planning department, the Sindh government has earmarked Rs34.6 billion for the fiscal year 2021-22, which includes foreign direct assistance. Last year, Rs19.8 billion were allocated in the same sector.

For the water and sanitation department, Rs1.536 billion has been allocated for the financial year 2021-22. For the solid waste management department, the allocated amount is Rs1.8 billion. Last year, Rs3.85 billion and Rs1.89 billion were allocated for the two sub-sectors respectively.

In the budget speech, the CM said the development portfolio of the local government department for the current financial year was Rs14.11 billion for 345 development schemes. It included Rs1.94 billion for 19 mega schemes.

“For next financial year, we have earmarked Rs25.5 billion for 264 ongoing and 291 new development schemes of the local government department. Moreover, Rs8 billion is also proposed for Karachi mega projects. We will more focus on the ongoing schemes for their early completion,” the CM said.