Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway – commonly known as Malir Expressway project, connecting Qayyumabad to Motorway M-9 alongside the Malir River, was inaugurated before its completion, raising serious safety concerns among travelers.
According to the media reports, significant construction work is still underway in many areas of the project with workers visible on-site along with construction materials, tractor trolleys, and heavy machinery clutter parts of the newly launched expressway.
Many motorcyclists were seen speeding without helmets or adhering to traffic rules on the incomplete Malir Expressway project.
Notably, there was a lack of police presence or enforcement of safety measures along the expressway, and no barriers to prevent pedestrians from crossing the road.
Pedestrians were observed moving across the highway or sitting on the main divider, risking their as well as passenger’s safety, on the other hand, the youngsters were also seen playing cricket near the Shah Faisal Colony toll plaza.
Traffic issues were also apparent, with vehicles entering one-way lanes at Shah Faisal Colony exit due to incomplete interchanges at Qayyumabad, while, no clear signage was seen to guide motorists or restrict certain vehicles from entering.
The report also mentioned that DIG Traffic Ahmed Nawaz Cheema confirmed two traffic police vehicles had been temporarily deployed, with regular patrols and permanent deployment will be made soon.
The Malir Expressway, named after Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, remains unfinished and cannot yet serve its intended purpose as outlined by the government of Sindh.
A spokesperson for the Sindh Chief Minister, Abdul Rashid Channa, assured that security measures would be put in place in a day or two, including 24/7 police patrols and the establishment of a Rescue 1122 unit for emergency response.
Source: Geo News
