KARACHI, Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh, Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqer, presided over the 44th Public Private Partnership Policy (PPP) Board meeting and approved an allocation of Rs 14.5 billion for the completion of additional work on the Malir Expressway project. The meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s House on Saturday and was attended by various provincial ministers, chief secretary, and senior government officials.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the PPP Policy Board discussed the project’s progress and reviewed the detailed multi-layered verification process undertaken by the department for awarding additional work to the existing concessionaire. The primary concern regarding the commercial operations date has now been addressed.

During the meeting, the board stressed the importance of ensuring sufficient funding to enhance the project’s aesthetic appeal, urging the Sindh government to allocate more resources accordingly. Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh directed the finance department to provide the required funding of Rs 14.5 billion within the next two months to expedite the project’s completion.

Furthermore, the Local Government Department was instructed to obtain the necessary approval from the Sindh Cabinet for finalizing the proposals of the PPP Policy Board. The project, known as the Malir Expressway, commenced on July 31, 2019, under a single-stage-to-envelope procurement process. The concession agreement came into effect on April 21, 2020, and construction work began on May 12, 2022.

Asad Zaman, Director-General of the PPP Unit, informed the meeting that the first phase of the project from Qayyumabad to Quaidabad was initially scheduled for completion by November 2023. However, the concessionaire faced challenges in commencing construction work near Samu, Lassi, and Shafigoth after Quaidabad. Considering the densely populated nature of Murad Memon and Gadap Town areas and the regularization of many Goths on the right side, an elevated option is being considered for the project.

With the approval of the PPP Policy Board and the immediate allocation of the required funds, the project is expected to achieve its Commercial Operations Date (COD) by June 2025. The first phase of construction is anticipated to commence within the next three months.