Karachi, Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar laid the foundation stone for the M9-N5 Link Road interchange in Kathore, aiming to enhance traffic flow and connectivity between Karachi’s industrial areas and the upcountry network.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the stone-laying ceremony marked the beginning of the final phase to integrate the already completed Link Road with the Motorway, making it fully operational. The event saw the attendance of Information Minister Muhammad Ahmed Shah, Secretary Works Muhammad Nawaz Sohoo, and other notable government and project officials.
Chief Minister Baqar stated that the integration of the M9-N5 Link Road Project with the Motorway (M9) is crucial for bridging the last gap in the traffic flow originating from Karachi’s industrial hubs. He emphasized the importance of this interchange for streamlining the transportation network, noting that the road leading to this interchange was constructed in record time.
The M9-N5 link road is a significant project, being the first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Pakistan based solely on traffic revenue, without equity, Minimum Revenue Guarantee, or financial support from the provincial government. The Concessionaire independently financed the project and committed to managing its operations and maintenance for the next 23 years, with the Sindh government benefiting from the traffic revenue.
However, delays in the finalization of the interchange construction impacted project revenues, prompting the Sindh government to compensate the Concessionaire for the loss. The Chief Minister urged the DG FWO to prioritize connecting traffic to the M9 through slip lanes, emphasizing the financial and operational benefits for the Sindh government.
The Frontier Works Organization (FWO) is expected to complete the interchange within a 12-month timeline as per the contract. This project aims to provide a more efficient route for traffic moving from National Highway N-5 to the Superhighway M-9, avoiding congested areas in Malir, Bin Qasim, and Landhi Towns.
The 22-km four-lane dual carriageway will serve as a commercial corridor, providing upcountry access to traffic from Port Qasim and industrial areas such as Landhi, Korangi, and Steel Mill. The project will also support additional traffic generated by ongoing developments along the road, including the education city and other residential/commercial projects.