Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the relocation of K-Electric installations and acquisition of land for the construction of an interchange in order to open the first segment of the Malir Expressway by December. During a visit to the under-construction 39.889 km expressway, Shah expressed dissatisfaction with the delays caused by the failure to move K-Electric infrastructure, which has hindered the project’s progress.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, Shah conducted an inspection from Zero Point near Jam Sadiq Bridge to Kathore, where he discovered that ready spans were not installed due to K-Electric’s failure to relocate its installations. The Chief Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioner to resolve the issue within a week, emphasizing the unacceptability of delays since payments for the relocation had already been made to K-Electric.

Shah also identified issues of land grabbing along the expressway, ordering immediate action to remove illegal structures. He urged the completion of the expressway’s first segment, from Korangi Causeway to Shah Faisal, by the end of November to meet the target of opening in early December.

During the visit, Shah addressed land acquisition delays for the Quaidabad interchange, stressing the need for prompt payment to landowners to facilitate the opening of Segment II. He inspected toll plaza structures and interchanges, directing landscaping efforts to enhance the area’s aesthetics.

Additionally, Shah called for a security plan involving police checkposts along the expressway. The Malir Expressway project, featuring six interchanges, three bridges, and five weigh stations, is slated for completion by the end of 2025.