–Submarine Chowk Underpass
–Drigh Road Underpass
–Tipu Sultan Flyover
–Sher Shah Suri Rd Flyovers
–BRT Routes
–Upcoming Malir Expressway
Each day, millions of people travel from point A to point B in the megacity, struggling through traffic jams and packed streets while relying on different modes of transportation. So, to make the commuting experience more bearable for the locals, the concerned authorities have introduced many mega-developments in Karachi in recent times, some of which are still in the works.
Now, let’s learn more about these major infrastructure projects that are revamping the urban landscape of Karachi.
List of Already Completed Infrastructure Projects in Karachi
We’ll start with the list of already completed mega-developments in Karachi.
Submarine Chowk Underpass
Punjab Chorangi, also known as Submarine Chowk, had been the most troublesome place for people travelling from DHA to Saddar, and vice versa. However, it took a few years for the authorities to come up with an impactful solution. Thankfully, the work on Submarine Chowk Underpass, which turned out to be an incredibly useful infrastructure development in Karachi, was completed in 2018.
Connecting the city’s two major ports, the route stays busy 24/7. Passing through different localities, it starts as Sunset Boulevard in DHA Phase 1, then converts into Khayaban-e-Roomi as you enter Clifton and after crossing the Boat Basin food street, it merges into Mai Kolachi Road while going towards the MT Khan Road. Heavy traffic, such as trailer trucks and oil tankers, is only allowed to pass through this route in the after-hours due to road safety concerns.
Drigh Road Underpass
Shahrah-e-Faisal has always been one of the most important routes in Karachi. The route of Shahrah-e-Faisal is based on a signal-free corridor that seamlessly connects you to get to the Jinnah International Airport, Malir Cantt and other important areas in the city. The construction of the Drigh Road Underpass was a long-awaited infrastructural development for the route.
Ever since it has been opened, vehicles coming in from the Rashid Minhas Road doesn’t affect the traffic flow on Shahrah-e-Faisal. Named after a martyr of the armed forces, the infrastructure project is also known as the Shaheed Munawar Suharwardi underpass.
Tipu Sultan Flyover
Located off Tipu Sultan Road on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Tipu Sultan Flyover was a highly anticipated project by people. Before it was constructed, traffic congestion was a norm at the intersection of Tipu Sultan and Shahrah-e-Faisal. This unfavourable delay was not welcomed by people using this route on a daily basis as it wasted their fuel, energy, and valuable time. However, since this new flyover has been made functional, a lot of people praise it as they travel through it every day because now they can easily get to their respective destinations without getting stuck in unnecessary traffic jams.
Three New Flyovers on Sher Shah Suri Road
Starting from Lasbela near Guru Mandir and going all the way to Abdullah Morr in Surjani Town, Sher Shah Suri Road is one of the most important road links connecting many key areas of Karachi. This is why the main track of the Green Line BRT project has also been laid down on this road.
This multi-lane two-way road runs through important intersections and entry/exit points. Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi, Five Star Chowrangi, and KDA Chowrangi are the most famous crossroads located on this route.
Multiple flyovers have also been recently constructed on Sher Shah Suri Road, specifically at these three major intersections, converting it into a 15-km signal-free corridor and allowing traffic to flow smoothly.
BRT Routes
The Bus Rapid Transit projects around the city have changed the look of many important roads in the city. Busy thoroughfares like MA Jinnah Road and University Road are now a part of the routes of different BRT lines. Unlike other bus services, metro bus services have specific routes where other vehicles are not allowed. This significantly reduces the travel time for the passengers of BRT services.
Two BRT services — Green Line and Orange Line — have been made operational so far in the city. However, work on the infrastructure of the Red Line bus is also progressing. These mega projects in Karachi are based on many different infrastructure features. For a BRT system, multiple stations are constructed along the route with overhead bridges, waiting areas, ticket booths and command and control centres, among other facilities.
Constructing a BRT route in a bustling city like Karachi is a challenge in itself. The Green Line BRT station at Numaish Chowrangi is based on multiple levels. The mega development is one of Asia’s largest underground bus stations.
The Upcoming Malir Expressway
Malir Expressway is a 39.3-km-long signal-free corridor, which has also been planned for the City of Lights. Being developed on the same pattern as that of Lyari Expressway, this upcoming project is also going to play a key role in reducing traffic congestion in the city.
This four-lane dualised expressway will start from KPT Interchange near Qayyumabad and end at Karachi-Hyderabad (M-9) motorway. It is an infrastructure project proposed by the provincial government and is being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Once completed, the project will seamlessly connect the northern parts of the megalopolis with its south. As of now, no completion date has been finalised for this mega-scale project. Since it is a developing project, we’ll keep updating this blog, so make sure to keep checking back for the latest updates on Malir Expressway.
Now you know about many existing and upcoming mega-developments in Karachi
Interested in making a real estate investment in Pakistan’s largest city? Make sure to check out these guides.
- Your Guide to Buying Low-Cost Houses in Karachi
- Karachi’s Top 5 Localities for Property Investment
- Best Areas to Buy Commercial Property in the City
For the most informative posts on upcoming infrastructure projects and the best real estate blogs in Pakistan, keep reading Zameen Blog. You can also send us your queries and feedback at blogs@zameen.com.
