KARACHI: The newly constructed Munawar Chowrangi Underpass in Gulistan-i-Jauhar was opened to traffic on Sunday.
The underpass was inaugurated during a ceremony attended by elected representatives, senior government officials, engineers, Karachi Development Authority (KDA) officials and local residents.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed their confidence that the project would improve traffic flow and reduce travel time between some of the city’s busiest residential and commercial neighbourhoods.
They said the project would be formally inaugurated later by Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.
Mayor Wahab says proposed flyover at Disco Bakery intersection in Gulshan-i-Iqbal has been ‘put on hold
Constructed by the KDA at a cost of around Rs2 billion, the underpass stretches nearly 500 metres and features a 24-foot-wide dual carriageway.
Officials said the project was completed in 16 months well ahead of its originally scheduled completion period.
Addressing the ceremony, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said the project reflected the provincial government’s commitment to upgrading Karachi’s urban infrastructure.
“Karachi’s development, the construction of modern urban infrastructure and resolving long-standing traffic issues remain among the Sindh government’s highest priorities,” he said.
“Multiple development projects are under way simultaneously across the city, while funds have already been allocated for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of major roads.”
The minister said investigations were continuing wherever complaints regarding construction quality had been received, adding that no negligence or substandard work would be tolerated.
Responding to criticism that Karachi had been neglected, CM Murad said the city had witnessed steady progress in recent years.
“Those who portray Karachi as a ruined city are ignoring the facts on the ground,” he said.
“The government has completed several flyovers, underpasses, roads and other development projects, while illegal marriage halls built on playgrounds have also been ruined city are ignoring the facts on the ground,” he said.
“The government has completed several flyovers, underpasses, roads and other development projects, while illegal marriage halls built on playgrounds have also been removed to restore public recreational spaces.”
Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the early completion of the underpass demonstrated the administration’s resolve to deliver public projects efficiently.
“We must not become complacent with our performance but continue working harder because we believe that movement brings progress,” he said.
“People should compare today’s Karachi with the past. Over the next year, citizens will witness even faster development and visible improvements in infrastructure and civic facilities.”
The mayor said work was continuing across the city on roads, flyovers, underpasses, parks, playgrounds and other civic amenities, while an industrial park would soon be inaugurated by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
Controversial flyover at Disco Bakery
Responding to a question, the mayor announced that the proposed flyover at the Disco Bakery intersection in Gulshan-i-Iqbal had been put on hold after the elected Jamaat-i-Islami town chairman requested the city administration not to proceed with the project.
The proposed flyover had generated a considerable public debate in recent months, with residents, urban planners, architects and transport experts questioning its necessity and arguing that another elevated road would reinforce Karachi’s car-centric development model at the expense of pedestrians, public transport and the surrounding urban environment.
The mayor said the flyover had originally been proposed to address increasing traffic congestion at the intersection but the KMC had decided to halt the project following the request from the local elected leadership.
Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026