Two key road infrastructure projects in Karachi are still awaiting the release of funds from the federal government despite the passage of more than five months in current financial year.
Construction of Flyover on Jinnah Avenue M-9 was approved under federally-funded Karachi Package, aimed at improving the infrastructure of the metropolis. The total cost of the project was approved at the cost of Rs.1.4 billion along with many other infrastructure projects for the mega city.
During the current financial year, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led federal government allocated Rs.500 million from Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). However, despite allocation of hefty amount for the project, federal government didn't release any amount so far in the current financial year.
Another key infrastructure project "Conversion of existing 2-lane Karachi Northern bypass to 6-lane Highway" is also awaiting the release of fund from the federal government.
Construction cost of the project is Rs.13,000 million while the land cost is Rs.1300 million and feasibility study cost is Rs.50 million. Federal Government allocated Rs.500 million for the project; however the project is also awaiting the release of funds from the federal government.
The project is aimed at facilitating the flow of heavy traffic from port area to Karachi-Hyderabad motorway. The existing track of the Northern by pass often results in stuck-up of traffic at its various portions.
The construction of road over Malir Bund from Dada Bhoy Town/Express up to limits of PNS, Mehran District East Karachi has not received any fund so far during the current fiscal despite the allocation of Rs.50 million in PSDP-2019-20.
It is worth mentioning that Karachi Package was announced in the previous federal government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to overhaul and upgrade the infrastructure in the port city. Some of the projects in Karachi Package received the allocated funds in the current fiscals PSDP after Karachi elected representatives approached Prime Minister Imran Khan sometime back.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019