CM Murad Ali Shah approves new corridor of Shahrah-e-Bhutto from Qayumabad to East Wharf

CM Murad Ali Shah approves new corridor of Shahrah-e-Bhutto from Qayumabad to East Wharf

KARACHI (July 23): In a significant move to enhance Karachi’s infrastructure, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced the development of a new corridor along Shahrah-e-Bhutto, extending from Qayyumabad to Karachi Port.

“This initiative aims to facilitate efficient port traffic access to the Motorway and is expected to be a game-changer for the country’s logistics and transportation network.”

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant to CM on Investment Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman P&D Board Najam Shah, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Project Director Niaz Soomro, and other officials.

The Chief Minister stressed the importance of this corridor. “Apart from the Link Road, which connects the National Highway with the Motorway, Shahrah-e-Bhutto’s new corridor – from Qayyumabad to Port- will cater to the port traffic to the Motorway,” he stated.

The Chief Minister said that the entire Shahrah-e-Bhutto from Korangi Causeway to Kathore would be opened to the public by the end of December 2025. The Link Road connecting National Highway to Motorway, catering the industrial areas such as Port Qasim Landhi and Korangi traffic will also be opened shortly.

Mr Shah highlighted the urgency of constructing the critical stretch from Karachi Port to Qayyumabad, which will provide direct and seamless access to the Motorway for port traffic.

A private firm has reportedly submitted a proposal for the project under a Design-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DFOT) model, which outlines a 16.5-kilometre road segment from Jam Sadiq Interchange to Karachi Port, including a 10.4-kilometre elevated section towards the port. The proposed construction will connect Qayyumabad to Boat Basin, and further to Ziauddin Chowrangi and East Wharf.

In addition to the corridor plans, a traffic study has already been conducted in line with the Chief Minister’s earlier directives. He mentioned, “Shahrah-e-Bhutto will serve as a main artery, equally feasible for heavy and light traffic, with interchanges designed to facilitate nearby housing areas.”

The Chief Minister has instructed the PPP Unit to swiftly acquire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from all relevant federal and provincial organisations, as well as to conduct an environmental study without delay.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to improving Karachi’s infrastructure, Mr Shah pointed out that work on the Red Line BRT infrastructure has been expedited, alongside redesign efforts for the Sohrab Goth roundabout aimed at alleviating traffic congestion.

The Chief Minister concluded by assuring the public that once these development projects are completed, they will not only enhance accessibility but also transform the overall look and functionality of the city, ultimately benefiting its residents.

This ambitious project is part of the broader strategy by the Sindh government to modernise Karachi’s transport infrastructure, which is expected to significantly improve trade and commerce activities in the region, thereby boosting the local economy.