Delay in the execution of Lyari Expressway increased the construction cost of the project to Rs 8.6 billion, from the initial estimate of Rs 4.9 billion, sources in National Highway Authority (NHA) told Business Recorder here on Tuesday.
The project, which was started in 2002, was initially to be completed by 2005. However, following delay due to several hurdles, the NHA now expects that the project would be completed by February 2010, provided the city government makes the remaining land available to NHA in time, sources said. They said that total length of the road is about 32 km. The southern portion of the expressway has already been completed, and was inaugurated in February 2008.
Lyari Expressway project ranks among most important projects of National Highway Authority (NHA). On completion, the project is expected to change the landscape in Karachi city, facilitating smooth flow of traffic in the most congested areas.
The work on northern bound was delayed due to encroachments (by unauthorised settlements) on the Lyari canal side, for which several rounds of negotiations had been held with the Karachi city administration. The issue has not only contributed to significant delay in the execution but also increased the overall cost of the project, which has scaled up from Rs 4892million to Rs 8575 million, (up by Rs 3683 millions as compare to the initial cost).
During recent negotiations, the district government promised to take necessary steps for removal of settlements so that the project could be completed without further delay. The project is expected to go a long way in facilitating the people by easing traffic congestions inside Karachi city. A number of interchanges at the expressway would provide key links with major industrial and commercial areas, thus boosting the overall economic activity in the area.
Work on north-bound section of Lyari Expressway project is being hindered by delay in handing over right of way (ROW) to National Highway Authority (NHA) by the City District Government of Karachi. If this hurdle is cleared, the NHA could complete the project within a short span of time, sources said.
They said as compared to southern section possession of land for the northern section has proved more problematic. At present, ROW for 12 kilometres portion has been handed over, while over four kilometres section is still not clear. Structures like bridges and culverts etc have been built in the cleared section and earthwork completed, they added. Sources said that after inauguration of the south-bound section the people have started experiencing the benefits flowing from it, and hoped the momentum for the north-bound expressway will be much greater. They said early completion of the project will not only improve the traffic conditions in Karachi, but will also contribute to curtailing environmental hazards.
This unique project will further add to the ambience of Karachi. Speaking about north-bound Carriageway he said, that pace of work on this section will be accelerated and efforts be made to remove hurdles especially for early possession of remaining Right of Way in co-ordination with the Governor and the City government.