Rs25 billion approved to fix Karachi’s broken roads

Karachi may soon see a long-awaited improvement in its crumbling road network, with the Sindh government approving Rs25 billion for the reconstruction of the city’s internal streets and major roads.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday greenlit the project to repair 315 internal streets and 60 main roads across the metropolis, while also instructing officials to ensure proper streetlight installation throughout the city.

The announcement came amid growing concerns over the state of Karachi’s roads, which have worsened following the recent spell of heavy rains, leaving commuters at risk of accidents and damage to vehicles.

A meeting chaired by CM Murad brought together key officials, including Minister for Local Government Nasir Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, and senior bureaucrats from the provincial board of revenue. According to Abdul Rashid Channa, spokesperson for the CM, the focus was on accelerating road development and improving basic infrastructure to reduce citizens’ hardships.

“After the heavy rains, Karachi’s roads are in a state of disrepair,” CM Murad said. “Ongoing mega projects are causing traffic congestion. I want development work to be completed quickly so the people do not suffer further.”

Mayor Wahab highlighted that the internal streets were in particularly poor condition. The CM directed that all street improvement schemes be approved immediately, with an emphasis on quality and speed. Officials were also ordered to incorporate proper drainage systems for both the internal streets and the city’s major roads to prevent future damage.

The estimated cost of the reconstruction work stands at Rs25 billion. CM Murad stressed that financial constraints should not delay progress, saying, “Funds are not the issue. I want immediate and quality work for the citizens.”

During the meeting, the CM also acknowledged the recent inauguration of reverse-osmosis water plants in Keamari, praising the focus on providing clean water alongside improved roads and safer streets. He noted that traffic accidents in Karachi have declined since the Sindh Safe City Project came into effect, underscoring the importance of combining infrastructure development with law and order initiatives.

Earlier in March, Mayor Wahab had requested the federal government to release Rs25 billion to strengthen the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, aiming to ensure steady development in the megacity. With this latest approval, residents may finally see some tangible improvements on the ground.