THE recent inauguration of the Malir Expressway is a commendable step towards easing Karachi’s long-standing traffic congestion, offering a much-needed corridor for faster travel across the city. However, I would like to draw attention to a critical issue affecting its actual usability for many people, especially those commuting from Korangi and Shah Faisal Colony.

While the expressway itself is smooth and efficient, the approach roads from Korangi and Shah Faisal Colony are in extremely poor condition. Besides, there are massive encroachments and frequent violations of traffic rules, making it a daily ordeal for the commuters to approach the expressway.

It takes nearly the same amount of time to navigate these feeder routes as it does to travel the entire length of the expressway, effectively doubling the journey duration. Adding to the frustration is the toll tax, which becomes hard to justify when the majority of the travel time is spent simply trying to reach the expressway itself. In its current state, the journey becomes both time-consuming and costly, undermining the purpose of this major infrastructure project.

The authorities concerned should take immediate steps to clear the encroach-ments, and repair the damaged approach roads in key connecting areas. With just a bit more attention and follow-through, the full potential of the Malir Expressway can be unlocked, turning it into the game-changing solution that it was meant to be.

Arshad Wali Muhammad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025