KARACHI, Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (R) Maqbool Baqar pledged to engage in discussions with the Pakistan Railways, KE authorities, and the Ministry of Defence to address the lingering challenges associated with the Malir Expressway Project. His involvement comes amidst concerns that delays might lead banks to withdraw financing, significantly increasing the project’s overall costs.
According to Media Consultant to CM Sindh, Justice Baqar made this announcement during his visit to the under-construction Malir Expressway. He was joined by caretaker Minister Arshad Wali Mohammad, PSCM to CM Agha Wasif, and other senior officials.
The Project Director of the Malir Expressway updated the Chief Minister on the progress of the project. The expressway, spanning 38.661 km, commenced construction on May 12, 2022, and is slated for completion within 30 months. The road starts from Jam Sadiq Bridge, leading to Kathore M-9, designed for speeds up to 100 km/hr. The expressway features a six-lane carriageway, six interchanges, and two toll plazas. Currently, Segment No.1 boasts a completion rate of 59.8%, while Segment No.2 is at 14.4%.
However, delays have marred the project’s timeline. Execution at the Jam Sadiq interchange, initially scheduled for May 24, 2022, faced interruptions, including challenges with KE installations, the Yellow Line, and SPD interventions. Although an agreement was reached with Yellow Line authorities, issues with KE installations remain unresolved, primarily due to pending payments by the Sindh government. Additionally, despite acquiring an NOC from the Ministry of Defence, the SPD continues to halt the project’s progress. In response, Justice Baqar committed to intervening personally with the SPD authorities.
The Project Director, Niaz Soomro, also informed the Chief Minister of the current progress on EBM and Shah Faisal Interchanges, which stand at 40% and 45%, respectively. Another significant impediment has been the awaited NOC from the Railway department for the Quaidabad interchange, which has halted concessionaire activities.
A significant concern voiced was the financing of the project. With approximately 65% of the funds borrowed from banks, any prolonged delay threatens to deter these financial institutions from continued investment.
In conclusion, the Chief Minister tasked the Project Director of the Malir Expressway and Secretary Transport Asad Zamin with creating a detailed report on each obstacle. This document will serve as a foundation for Justice Baqar’s discussions with the relevant authorities, aiming to expedite this nationally significant project.