KARACHI: The Sindh government has approved a proposal to build another expressway between the Karachi Port Terminal and Jam Sadiq Bridge in Korangi to connect it with Malir Expressway in a bid to give direct access to port traffic and other commuters to the M-9 Motorway.

The decision was made on Monday at the 45th meeting of the Public Private Partnership Policy (PPPP) Board which was chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

During the meeting, the CM issued directives for the finalisation of the proposal on the PPP Unit. “Otherwise, the provincial government would construct it from its own resources,” a statement issued after the meeting quoted the CM as saying.

The name of the expressway will be decided later.

The expressway is part of a Sindh local government department’s proposal that suggested a solution to address the issue of traffic congestion at the KPT and ICI bridge intersections.

“The proposal aims to provide quick and safe access to commuters from Mauripur Road to the Karachi Beach area by constructing the Mauripur Expressway and ICI Interchange on a PPP mode,” said the statement.

“The Mauripur Expressway will be eight kilometres long with two lanes in each direction, a toll plaza, and a weight bridge. Additionally, there will be a one-kilometre, two-lane (one-way) interchange at the ICI bridge. The consultant has suggested building an interchange at Lyari Flyover and Kakapir Flyover, as well as a proposed elevated U-turn,” the statement added.

The meeting also decided to carry out afforestation along the River Indus in the districts of Jamshoro and Matiari, covering an area of 34,995 acres. Additionally, the statement said, reforestation activities will be undertaken over 88,022 hectares in the riverine areas of seven districts of the province on a PPP mode.

At the outset of the meeting, the CM said that the World Wildlife Fund reported in 2017 that Pakistan was a forest-poor country, with less than six per cent (6pc) of its total area as opposed to a minimum of 25pc. He added that we were facing severe climatic conditions due to climate change.

“The floods in 2022 are an example of the risks which it faces, he said, adding that enhancing forest cover would improve the province’s resilience in meeting such challenge,” said the CM while addressing the meeting. “Our Sindh Forest Department has successfully undertaken Delta Blue Carbon projects. It has improved mangrove cover and also brought in revenues through a carbon credit mechanism. He directed the forest department to undertake ARR activities over 100,000 acres of identified forest land.”

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024