Malir Expressway: Traffic relief or an environmental risk for Karachi?

Karachi’s Malir Expressway, a major infrastructure project spanning 38 kilometers, is set to transform the city’s commute by linking Defense Housing Authority (DHA) to the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway in just 20 minutes.

The Sindh government, in partnership with private firms, aims to alleviate Karachi’s notorious traffic congestion through the expressway, offering the city a potential boost in both efficiency and local economic growth.

According to Project Director Niaz Soomro, the expressway will start from Jam Sadiq bridge in Korangi and end at Kathore. “The aim of the project is to eliminate the traffic congestion in Karachi,” Soomro said.

He added that the expressway, which traverses Korangi and Malir districts, includes six interchanges—four in Korangi district and two in Malir—designed to ease traffic flow and reduce commuting times.

Despite the potential benefits, the Malir Expressway has sparked environmental concerns among locals and experts. The project’s adjustments to the natural course of the Malir River could restrict water flow, raising the risk of floods during Karachi’s monsoon seasons.

Critics also point out that the government’s failure to address and repair older embankments near the project site could exacerbate existing flood risks.

Environmental activists worry that these changes may worsen the city’s vulnerability to heavy rains, which have already led to severe flooding in recent years.