By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Karachi mayor Murtaza Wahab said a key road in North Nazimabad would be converted into a dual carriageway as part of wider efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure and drainage system.
Speaking at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the rehabilitation of Sakhi Hassan Road, he said development schemes worth Rs68bn were under way across Karachi.
He said the project aimed to address long-standing issues caused by rainwater flowing from nearby hilly areas, which had previously affected the Sakhi Hassan graveyard and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The scheme, estimated to cost about Rs140m, includes road rehabilitation, drainage upgrades and other basic facilities. The road will be expanded into a dual carriageway stretching about 0.88km with a width of 30 feet, alongside the repair of an equal-length drainage line to improve rainwater disposal.
Wahab said the project formed part of a broader programme covering the construction and rehabilitation of 26 roads to better connect internal streets with major arteries, easing traffic flow and supporting business activity.
He added that several projects had already been completed, including work on Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan, while work continued on key routes such as Sher Shah Suri Road.
Referring to ongoing provincial initiatives, he said Shahrah-e-Bhutto, being constructed from Qayyumabad to Kathore in Gadap Town, would play an important role in improving the city’s traffic system.
The mayor said development activities were expanding under Package-08 despite institutional challenges, and reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing projects aimed at improving transport and civic facilities.
He criticised political opponents, including Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing them of point-scoring, and said his focus remained on practical measures to address the city’s problems under the banner of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
