Another historic mega project to be launched, which will connect to the furthest reaches of Karachi.
Karachi soon to have elevated expressway
An agreement for the construction of Pakistan’s first-ever elevated expressway in Karachi was signed here on Wednesday. **The 24-km long elevated expressway will run from Quaidabad to Jinnah Bridge, alongside the Sharea Faisal. The 24-meter wide expressway will be constructed by a Malaysian company at a cost of 225 million dollars and will be completed in three years. **The agreement was signed at an impressive ceremony by Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal on behalf of City District Government Karachi and Dato Goh Chye Koon of IJM Corporation Berhad, Malaysia at a local hotel. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan. City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil and DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman were also present. Speaking on the occasion City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal described the occasion a great moment for Karachi and Pakistan. He said the City Government had been working on this project for the last four months; and ultimately the IJM got this contract. “We did not sign Memorandum of Understanding but the agreement and, therefore, the work on this project will be construed to have started from today and will be completed in 3 years and may be even before”, Mustafa Kamal said.
City Nazim said this elevated expressway will serve as Southern Bypass and besides providing exits at many points, it will also have link with the airport. He said the idea for an elevated expressway was conceived in view of Sharea Faisal becoming highly congested for traffic and causing great inconvenience for patients who would stuck up in traffic jams. “We are committed to resolve the problems of common man and this project is a practical approach towards this end”. He pointed out that Karachi is a fast emerging regional market and it is being developed under public-private partnership. He said the elevated expressway will have six inter-changes at Quaidabad inter-section, Star Gate, HIR Road, Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Hotel Metropole and Jinnah Bridge. Under Phase-II, he informed, the IJM Corporation will be entitled to levy, demand and collect an appropriate fee from vehicles and persons using the expressway for 15 years. He said the CDGK will hand over physical possession of the site within 60 days together with necessary right of way/way leaves for implementation of Phase-I. This expressway, Mustafa Kamal pointed out, will bring revolution in the communication and economic sectors as it will provide links to Pakistan Steels Port Qasim and Karachi Port besides Airport and will prove an expressway for Pakistan’s economic growth. He said that for the past 4 months the City Government had been working day and night on conceiving development projects with focus on water and sewerage lines and gave Rs 50 million to each of 18 Towns of the City for the purpose. He said it is the first city government to start mechanical sweeping in the city for which automatic machines were imported for wash and sweeping of roads. Earlier Dato Goh Chye Koon of IJM Corporation welcomed the City Nazim and said Wednesday’s signing of agreement will mark a new history for City of Karachi. He thanked him for giving IJM an opportunity to construct this elevated expressway which will prove to be a part of the efforts being made for making Karachi world’s most modern city. He said it will help overcome the city’s growing traffic problems, particularly in the city’s business centres. He described the construction of expressway a progressive move of the City Government. Later City Nazim Mustafa Kamal and Dato Chye Koon signed the agreement. The ceremony was attended among others, by EDOs Works and Services, Finance, Master Plan, Investment Promotion, Building Control Authority besides Town Nazims and officials of City District Government Karachi.
Agreement for Phase I of the Construction of Elevated Expressway along Shahrah-E-Faisal from Quaidabad Intersection to Jinnah Bridge in Karachi, Pakistan on Annuity Concept. Further to the announcement dated 22 February 2006, the Company has on 1 March 2006 signed an Agreement for Phase I of the Construction of Elevated Expressway along Shahrah-E-Faisal from Quaidabad Intersection to Jinnah Bridge in Karachi, Pakistan on Annuity Concept (“the Project”) with the City District Government Karachi (“CDGK”), Pakistan. Phase I of the Project involves financial feasibility study and engineering design, which shall be completed within six (6) months. The construction of the Elevated Expressway will be undertaken within thirty (30) months from the date of commencement under the Phase II Agreement. The Phase II Agreement will be signed upon the completion of the work under Phase I. The total project cost, which comprises Phase I and Phase II of the Project, is estimated to be USD225,000,000 (approximately RM830,000,000). The actual cost of the Project will be determined upon the completion of Phase I. Under the Annuity Concept, the Company will operate and maintain the Expressway for twenty (20) years after its completion, and will collect toll on behalf of the CDGK. The Company will be paid in two (2) semi-annual payments over twenty (20) years. The Company will be responsible for arranging and obtaining funds to finance the construction, operation and maintenance of the Elevated Expressway. The CDGK, solely or jointly with the Government of Sindh, Pakistan, will provide sovereign guarantee for the repayment of the funds raised by the Company.
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian company
The project includes construction of 24 kilometres long, 25 metres wide expressway having three lane on each side. The project costing US $ 225 million will be constructed in three years time.
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*The sub-structure of the proposed elevated expressway will be on pile foundation/ single pier system, whereas the super-structure will be of pre-stressed/ pre-cost girder, RCC deck slab.
Six interchanges will be provided on the 24 kilometres long elevated expressway at Quaidabad intersection, Star Gate, HIR Road, Shara-e-Quaideen, Hotel Metropole and Jinnah Bridge (Native Jetty).
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian company
i am not too excited about this project. I am still waiting to hear something concrete about the mass transit project. When will we have a metro system (or something equivalent) in our cities. 200+ million dollars on the expressway seems a bit too expensive to me.
Some one also mentioned on skysrapercity's mehfil Pakistan that this expressway is going to errode historical areas of karachi cause it is being constructed in the heart of old karachi. Some one shed some light on this.
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian company
Also, according to dawn, this project is actually not covdring the most trafficed areas.. Not sure about this charge..
But still good news, atleast they are using the money to some end...
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian company
It remains to be seen how effective this will be. I just hope they finish it soon, because right now traveling in areas of construction is very dangerous, especially at night.
And then we have the Sindhis and Balochs complaining that their villages are being deliberately demolished by MQM to drive them out of Karachi!
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian compa
Some one also mentioned on skysrapercity's mehfil Pakistan that this expressway is going to errode historical areas of karachi cause it is being constructed in the heart of old karachi. Some one shed some light on this.
Usually the purpose of elevated expressways is not to destroy the existing structure and they are built on top of the most busy roadways in the city. I think it will be excellent for the city but we need to educate the people to keep it clean and in working order. I have seen the elevated skytrain systems in KL and BKK and they have made the life so easy for the commuters. One is currently being built in Jakarta as well.
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian company
It'll change the shape of the entire city. the tram way, circular railway plans ought to be implemented soon as well. It's all much needed, but proper planning, proper execution of the plans is even more imp.
I hope it's done well and quick. The period during construction is most painful for citizens.
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian company
Four elevated roads planned
KARACHI: The city government, which last week signed an agreement with a Malaysian company for city’s first-ever elevated road, plans construction of four more over next five years.
These mega projects include (i) elevated bridge structure/dual carriageway on Sharea Faisal from Hotel Mehran to Jinnah terminal intersection, about 14km costing Rs3 billion; (ii) elevated bridge structure/dual carriageway on I.I. Chundrigar Road from Hotel Metropole to Merewether Tower, about 3km; (iii) elevated bridge structure/dual carriageway on M.A. Jinnah Road from Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam to Merewether Tower, about 4km and (iv) elevated bridge structure/dual carriageway on Rashid Minhas Road from Sharea Faisal intersection up to Nagan Chowrangi, about 7km. The contract for conducting a feasibility study on first of the four projects would be awarded soon by Works & Services Group of Offices, CDGK, official sources said. The process of inviting Expressions of Interest from foreign and local firms for this project is under way. Shahrea Faisal, which links airport with downtown, remains busy most of the time and faces frequent traffic congestion at rush hours, particularly due to VVIP movement. http://jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2006-daily/16-03-2006/metro/k2.htm
Re: Karachi soon to have elevated Expressway - $225 million deal with Malaysian company
Other major road projects like the Lyari Expressway and Northen bypass are being completed this year, and the project to expand the Super Highway from Karachi to Hyderabad into a 6 lane motorway will be launched soon as well.
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