Malir River Expressway finally gets under way

Initially planned at the same time with the Lyari Expressway project, the Malir River Expressway – from DHA Phase-VII to Super Highway – has finally got a consultant. The National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) was appointed as the construction consultant for the long on-hold developmental scheme on Wednesday and directed to submit the feasibility report within two months, after which measures will be taken to initiate work on the project.
This was decided at a high-level meeting held in the District Coordination Officer Camp Office on Wednesday under the chairmanship of acting Karachi administrator Hussain Syed. The meeting was attended by Corps-5 representative Brig Hasan Raza, Defence Housing Authority’s Col (r) Ali Amjad, Works and Services Department Executive District Officer (EDO) Rasheed Mughal, Transport EDO Atique Baig, NESPAK representative Farhat Adeel, Sindh Board of Investment Director Mehmoodul Haq, Engineer Makhdoom Rasheed, the General Mass Transit Cell director, private consultant firms’ representatives among other officers concerned.
It was informed at the meeting that the Malir River Expressway project was planned along with the Lyari Expressway but work could not be started on the project. As the city is now spreading on one side and thousands of plots have been allotted to citizens in the New Malir Housing Scheme, it has become essential for connecting the new residential schemes with a new route, in order to give easy access to other areas of the city.
The construction of expressway is also necessary for providing direct access to heavy traffic plying between the Super Highway and the National Highway. In the past, many studies have been conducted on this project but now the construction of the Malir River Expressway requires a detailed study. Speaking on the occasion, acting city administrator Syed said the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) will take all measures to start work on this project as soon as possible, while a joint consortium could also be formed to solve the problem of shortage of resources.
He also directed CDGK’s Master Plan, Works and Services, Transport and Mass Transit Cell departments’ EDOs to fully cooperate with the NESPAK so that the feasibility report of this project could be prepared at the earliest.