KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a high-level meeting to review the progress of Karachi’s development portfolio, Rs. 86.94 billion for the financial year 2025–26, directing all executing agencies to accelerate implementation, improve financial utilisation, and ensure timely completion of priority projects. A detailed briefing was given on the status of 285 development schemes in the megacity with a total estimated cost of Rs. 86.94 billion. It was informed that Rs 38.83 billion had been allocated for Karachi, against which Rs 22.36 billion had been released and Rs 13.15 billion spent so far during the current financial year, while cumulative expenditure on these schemes has reached Rs 33.94 billion. The briefing showed that KDA is executing 76 schemes with a cumulative utilisation of 72 per cent, while KMC is implementing 200 schemes with 46 per cent utilisation. MEGA Karachi is handling nine major schemes with 62 per cent utilisation. Expressing concern over slower progress in some schemes, CM Murad directed the concerned departments to immediately complete procedural requirements so that physical work could begin on the ground. He reviewed progress on MEGA projects, including the Murghi Khana Bridge on the Malir River and the Shahrah-e-Bhutto–Korangi Causeway junction near Qayyumabad, and instructed that these schemes be completed within their revised timelines. About the Karimabad Underpass, it informed that the project is a two-plus-two lane underpass with an estimated cost of Rs3.8 billion, started in May 2023, and has achieved 85 per cent physical progress. However, the Munawar Chowrangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar (Scheme-36) project is a Rs2,026.487 million scheme, for which the government has released Rs300 million, and its physical progress has reached 75 per cent. KDA has launched six new schemes including construction of roads in Scheme-41 Surjani, Scheme-36 Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Scheme-33 Gulzar-e-Hijri, and Scheme-5 Clifton for Rs2,876.250 million; construction and rehabilitation of different roads of Scheme-33 for Rs1,987.470 million; construction of road from CP-03 to Malir Expressway through Malir River Road for Rs1,428.821 million; construction and rehabilitation of storm water drain including road at I B Soomro Road, Maymar for Rs1,350.994 million; and construction of Gujjar Nallah Flyover crossing Sir Shah Suleman Road for Rs1,650.000 million. The meeting reviewed recently approved Rs13 billion grant-in-aid for rehabilitation of road infrastructure in 24 TMCs, and Rs8.53 billion for the rehabilitation of 26 major roads in Karachi. Shah reiterated that an oversight committee under Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Shah has been constituted to supervise these works and submit monthly progress reports. Under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) development portfolio for 2025–26, several urban renewal and civic improvement schemes currently were at different stages of execution. These include the development of Karachi’s old city area for Rs744.5 million and the improvement and development of various business areas with an allocation of Rs1.05 billion. The restoration and rehabilitation of old markets, costing Rs501.5 million, has also moved into the execution phase, with physical progress reported at 35 per cent. Major transport and connectivity schemes under KMC were also reviewed, including the construction of a flyover at Azeempura intersection, along with widening and rehabilitation of the road from Malir River Bridge to Shama Shopping Centre in Shah Faisal Town, a project valued at Rs1.56 billion and currently in progress. Road infrastructure projects such as the rehabilitation of the road from Gulshan-e-Hadeed Mor to Allahwali Chowrangi in Malir and the reconstruction of Hub River Road towards Toori Bangash Ittehad Town are likewise under way, aimed at improving access and easing traffic congestion in rapidly growing areas of the megacity. The meeting was also informed about citywide initiatives focusing on urban mobility, public spaces, and environmental improvement. These include the improvement and rehabilitation of Karachi’s traffic corridors, with an allocation of Rs4 billion and tendering currently in process, as well as the construction of a bird aviary at Kidney Hill Park and the development of a public park and ground at Gutter Baghicha, both intended to enhance recreational facilities for citizens. Additionally, a proposal for the development of graveyards in Karachi has reached the PC-I stage and is under consideration. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Jam Khan Shoro, Special Assistant to the CM Syed Qasim Naveed, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary to the CM Agha Wasif, Chairman Planning & Development (P&D) Najam Ahmed Shah, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Chairman CMIT Bilal Memon, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, CEO Water Board Ahmed Siddiqui, and others. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026