Civil society representatives, environmental experts and residents of Clifton and Defence have opposed the proposed Qayyumabad–Karachi Port Elevated Corridor, citing concerns over privacy, noise pollution, environmental damage and public health, as reported by local media.
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The objections were raised during a press conference organised by the Karachi Citizens Forum (KCF) at the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) House on Saturday. Participants questioned the project’s impact on residential neighbourhoods, mangroves and Karachi’s urban environment, while criticising what they described as inadequate public consultation.
The proposed 16.5-kilometre, four-lane elevated corridor aims to connect Karachi Port’s East Wharf with the recently inaugurated Shahrah-i-Bhutto Expressway, bypassing inner-city traffic. In May 2026, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari performed the groundbreaking of the Rs65 billion project, which is planned under a public-private partnership model.
Proposed Route Raises Concerns
KCF convener Nargis Rahman said the proposed route would begin at Karachi Port’s East and West wharves and South Asia Pakistan Terminals (SAPT), cross Chinna Creek and proceed towards Boat Basin.
The elevated structure would continue towards Khayaban-i-Jami, passing areas around Schon Circle, Punjab Chowrangi, Delhi Colony and Altamash Hospital before reaching Sunset Boulevard in Defence. It would connect with Shahrah-i-Bhutto through Korangi Road.
Rahman said the corridor’s proximity to densely populated residential areas in Clifton and Defence raised concerns about privacy, continuous noise pollution, environmental degradation and public health.
She added that the anticipated round-the-clock movement of heavy vehicles could affect residents’ safety, well-being and economic stability.
Experts Warn of Noise and Air Pollution
Amber Alibhai of Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment criticised the city’s ongoing construction projects, warning that further development could put additional pressure on Karachi’s already strained urban environment.
Mohammad Toheed of the Karachi Urban Lab also questioned the need for the proposed corridor. He argued that the government had already caused considerable damage during the construction of Malir Expressway, now known as Shahrah-i-Bhutto.
Toheed suggested that the new project was intended to increase the usefulness of the existing expressway. He also criticised the alleged lack of public consultation over major infrastructure decisions.
Architect Arif Belgaumi said Clifton and Defence contain densely populated residential areas, offices and buildings occupied by multiple families. He argued that the growing population required more public facilities, including hospitals, schools, parks, markets and mosques.
Instead, he expressed concern about an elevated road passing above residential areas and accommodating an estimated 13,000 heavy vehicles every 24 hours.
Belgaumi warned that the resulting air and noise pollution, along with increased congestion, could negatively affect the area’s livability.
Public Consultation Process Questioned
Zahid Farooq, joint director of the Urban Resource Centre, said his organisation was not against development but questioned the social and environmental costs of the proposed project.
Farooq claimed that the public hearing process had not reached a large section of the population because the notice was published in a small newspaper. As a result, he said, many residents were unaware of the proposed development and had limited opportunities to express their concerns.
He called for greater transparency and public participation, arguing that trust between the government and citizens was essential for major development projects.
Humaira Khan, president of the Association of Defence Residents, alleged that a meeting organised by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency to consider the project was not representative of the public. She claimed that the participants were largely people associated with the government.
These allegations were raised by the speakers at the press conference and were not independently established in the information provided.
Residents Raise Concerns About Mangroves
DHA resident Syed Jamal Macdi questioned the allocation of public funds to the project and raised concerns about its potential environmental consequences, including possible damage to mangroves.
He also referred to the division of responsibilities between federal and provincial authorities, arguing that the government should address the city’s existing problems before proceeding with major new infrastructure.
Rasha Tarek, a KCF member and resident of Clifton Block 5, said the neighbourhood’s schools, parks, Boat Basin and food street were important community spaces that could be affected by the elevated corridor.
She warned that the project could change the character of Clifton and its surrounding areas.
Khan also cautioned that the development could significantly alter the residential environment of Clifton and Defence.
Dr Aliya Rehman, Sana Zuberi, PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro and KCF co-convener Dr Qaiser Sajjad also addressed the press conference.
The objections raised by civil society groups centre on the project’s environmental impact, anticipated heavy-vehicle traffic, effects on residential communities and the transparency of the approval process. A response from the project’s proponents addressing these concerns was not included in the information provided.
