By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has declared 2025 as the “year of development,” unveiling a comprehensive Rs 46 billion plan for infrastructure and civic improvement across the city. The announcement came during a press briefing at KMC headquarters, attended by city council members and officials.
Mayor Wahab outlined an ambitious programme, with a target to complete 799 development schemes by 30 June 2026. Key projects include the upgrading of four major city corridors with Rs 4 billion, construction of new graveyards costing Rs 400 million, and the completion of repair work on the old Hub Dam canal to resolve water supply issues in District West and Keamari. Plans to augment the K-IV water project and install an elevated water line worth Rs 2.25 billion in Lyari were also highlighted.
Significant progress has already been made in addressing the city’s basic infrastructure needs. During the first half of the financial year, 2.246 million square feet of asphalt carpeting and 8.5 million square feet of paver blocks were laid across Karachi. The next six months will see an additional 945,000 square feet of asphalt and 3.828 million square feet of paver blocks.
Road reconstruction projects include Jahangir Road (Rs 300 million), Pehlwan Goth Road and drain, Business Recorder Road, and two alternative routes from Natha Khan Flyover (Rs 850 million). Azeempura flyover (Rs 1.5 billion), Gulshan-e-Hadeed Road (Rs 495 million), and Hub River Road (Rs 1 billion) are also under construction.
The mayor announced restoration work at historic markets including Hothi Market and Lee Market, the construction of a bird aviary at Kidney Hill Park (Rs 200 million), and a public park at Gutter Baghicha (Rs 150 million). New football grounds in Baldia and Mauripur, and a park with IT facilities in Shadman, District Central, are scheduled for completion by April 2026.
In water infrastructure, pumps imported from Japan have been installed to restore the old Hub Dam canal, and 10 million gallons per day of water are being treated for industrial use. Gulshan-e-Hadeed’s water supply issue has been resolved, and underpass projects at Kareemabad and Manzoor Chowrangi are nearing completion.
On public transport, TransKarachi is advancing the Red Line project on University Road, with accelerated work expected between March and July 2026. The city administration is also pursuing public-private partnerships to modernize Spencer Eye Hospital and activate a new block at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
Mayor Wahab emphasised that transparency and accountability will remain central to KMC operations. “After more than two years of hard work, tangible delivery is now being provided to the citizens of Karachi,” he said, stressing that corruption will not be tolerated and any errors will be promptly corrected.
He concluded by highlighting Karachi’s role as Pakistan’s economic engine and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring sustainable urban development for the city’s residents.
