Transporters and urban planning experts have raised concerns about the traffic management and design of Karachi’s newly opened Karimabad Underpass, warning that the project may face congestion and operational difficulties despite being promoted as a major infrastructure development.
Constructed at a reported cost of Rs3.46 billion, the underpass stretches approximately 1,080 meters and is being described as Karachi’s longest tunnel-style underpass.
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The Joint Director of Transporters and Urban Resource Centre, Zahid Farooq, criticised the project’s design, stating that the underpass lacks a dedicated emergency lane despite its considerable length.
He warned that even a single vehicle breakdown inside the tunnel could block traffic flow completely and create serious inconvenience for commuters.
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Meanwhile, Muhammad Ilyas of Karachi Transport Alliance expressed concern about expected congestion near Musa Colony and APWA Girls College.
According to transporters, narrow roads, roadside encroachments, and Qingqi rickshaws on the Route 7C corridor could worsen traffic conditions in surrounding areas.
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Officials from the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) said delays in the project were mainly caused by utility shifting work involving K-Electric, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC).
KDA engineers acknowledged that only two heavy vehicles can pass through the underpass simultaneously and confirmed that no emergency lane was included because of limited available space.
