KARACHI: Any plan short of providing direct connectivity to the newly-developed South Asia Pakistan Terminals (SAPT) and Karachi port to the National and the Superhighways would miserably fail, and will not provide any relief to the people of Karachi from heavy vehicular traffic.
Seemingly, heavy vehicular traffic moving in and out of both ports which are lying on the west of the city have to cross residential localities at several points before reaching the main arteries connecting Karachi with the rest of the country.
At present, the entire port traffic has two exist/entry points — one from the Superhighway to Shahrah-i-Pakistan (Federal B Area) which then moves on towards SITE Avenue (SITE area) to Mauripor Road and finally reaches the Karachi port and SAPT.
The other entry and exist point for traffic is from the National Highway which after passing through the Korangi Industrial area reaches Jam Sadiq Bridge on Korangi Road and then enters the upscale locality of Defence Housing Society at Sunset Boulevard while moving on to Mai Kolachi Road and M.T. Khan Road to reach the ports after crossing the Jinnah Bridge.
When the issue was discussed with experts they were unanimous in their view that only direct connectivity to highways linking the city with the rest of the country would have to be worked out, if a lasting solution was to be found.
While giving suggestions these experts presented several options which could be workable depending upon the availability of the funds. However, some are not much costly but need courageous decisions from the federal and provincial governments.
These experts in detail discussed four connecting options with their pros and cons, but were of a firm opinion that the two ports — SAPT and Karachi Port could best be linked with railways by laying double track from Pipri near Port Qasim right into the two ports.
At present there is a single track but a double railways track of around 45km from Pipri to these two ports would be a win-win situation and in the best national interest because railways are still considered to be the best and the cheapest mode of transportation the world over, observed Eng Iqbal Ahmed.
Responding to a question he said there was a lot of space for laying double rail track from Pipri marshalling yard which had not been properly used even after a lapse of several decades. This option would not only be cost-effective but could be completed in the shortest period.
Eng Iqbal Ahmed said after laying another track cargo trains could move in and out of ports carrying cargo without disturbing the city traffic and this will be beneficial for both the ports as well as the Pakistan Railways (PR) which will get a captive cargo of substantial volume per annum. Unfortunately, currently the PR carries only five per cent port cargo.
The second best option which is also workable but would need huge funds and time for execution is extending the current proposed elevated expressway through Lyari riverbed up to Sohrab Goth for where it would directly touch Super Highway or M-9 which goes up to Peshawar, observed Eng Anwar Rahseed Narejo.
He further said that the proposed elevated expressway having a length of 10km and if executed would be landing near Gul Bai to allow the port traffic to move onward to Northern Bypass but not disturbing the city life.
He further said the Northern Bypass unfortunately has a single track which would be hazardous in case of any accident but it would be workable by turning the proposed elevated expressway towards Lyari riverbed with a length of 17km up to Sohrab Goth from where it would be directly linked with the Super Highway and M-9. This would mean that a total length of the elevated expressway would come to around 27km starting from Keamari to Sohrab Goth.
Unfortunately, the existing two separate tracks of Lyari Express are not designed for bearing the load of heavy vehicles, therefore, the proposed Elevated Expressway would have to be built in the middle of the Lyari River, he added.
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) is already working on laying a conduit in the middle of Lyari riverbed for carrying untreated sewerage water up to the treatment plants on the sea shore near Gul Bai. Thus, a lot of space would be available for the elevated expressway, Eng Narejo said.
Giving third option these experts said that the Malir Expressway could be developed over the Malir River which also has a length of around 54km from near Sohrab Goth up to Jam Saddiq Bridge. This proposal was already under the government consideration.
However, Eng Narejo said it has a drawback because after Jam Saddiq Brige, heavy vehicles will have to pass through the Defence Housing Society over the Sunset Boulevard. The proposed elevated expressway of 10km had been already rejected by experts.
Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2018