Expressway to be built from KPT Terminal to Jam Sadiq Bridge

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to carry out afforestation along the River Indus in the Jamshoro and Matiari districts, covering an area of 34,995 acres.

During the 45th meeting of the Public-Private Partnership Policy Board that he chaired at the CM House on Monday, Shah said that reforestation would be undertaken over 88,022 hectares in the riverine areas of seven districts of the province.

The CM also approved the proposal to construct an expressway from the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Terminal to the Jam Sadiq Bridge, where the Malir Expressway begins. At the meeting’s outset he said the World Wildlife Fund had reported in 2017 that Pakistan was a forest-poor country, with less than six per cent of forest area, as opposed to a minimum of 25 percent required.

He added that Sindh is facing severe climatic conditions due to climate change. “The floods in 2022 are an example of the risks which it faces,” he pointed out. He remarked that enhancing forest cover would improve the province’s resilience in meeting such challenges.

He also said the forest department has successfully undertaken Delta Blue Carbon projects, improved mangrove cover and also brought in revenue through a carbon credit mechanism. He told the department that the objective is to undertake ARR activities over 100,000 acres of identified forest land.

The forest department said it has identified 34,995 acres in the riverine area of the Matiari and Jamshoro districts for various purposes: reforestation on 2,674 hectares, an access road area of 694.63 hectares, 188.7 hectares for settlements, 3,200 hectares of existing forest, and 6,757.36 hectares of other adjoining areas.

The CM instructed the forest department to plant the native species of trees such as Babul, Kandi, Bahan and Neem, in addition to other trees.

New expressway

Shah directed the local government department to finalise the proposal for the construction of another expressway from the KPT Terminal to the Jam Sadiq Bridge, where the Malir Expressway begins. “This expressway will help give the port traffic direct access to the motorway.”

The CM directed the Public-Private Partnership Unit to finalise the expressway construction proposal, otherwise the provincial government would construct the expressway from its own resources.

ICI Interchange

The LG department proposed a solution to address the traffic congestion issues and facilitate heavy traffic from the Karachi Port at the ICI bridge intersection.

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 the ICI Interchange. 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 the Lyari and Kakapir flyovers, as well as an elevated U-turn.

Reforestation

Shah decided starting reforestation over an area of 88,022 hectares, for which the Asian Development Bank might be engaged as a transition adviser for the development of the project. He directed the forest & wildlife department to restore the riverine forest on 88,022 hectares located in various districts.

The forest department said that on the CM’s directives the riverine districts — Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Naushahro Feroze, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Larkana and Sukkur — have been identified where 88,022 hectares of reforestation would be carried out.

Marble City

The CM expressed his displeasure over the delay in the Marble City project, saying that its entire process must be carried out at the earliest so that the project can be launched.

The project aims to provide a secure, purpose-built industrial zone for not only the dimension stone (marble and granite) sector but also is allied industries in Karachi. It will enhance exports, and attract local and international investment.

The Marble City is being established over 300 acres: 210 acres of commercial and industrial land, and 90 acres of amenities. It is located near the Northern Bypass, 40km to the Karachi Port, 60km to Port Qasim and 25km to the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway. The meeting was told that the developer has been finalised, so the work would be awarded shortly.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Dr Azra Pechuho, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani and Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Livestock Adviser Najmi Alam, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Advocate General Hassan Akbar, CM’s Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, NED University Vice Chancellor Dr Sarosh Lodi, Asif Brohi, provincial secretaries and other relevant officials.