The long-delayed Karimabad underpass in Karachi’s Central district has been partially opened to traffic, more than two and a half years after missing its original completion deadline.
The project, initiated by the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) on December 30, 2022, was originally estimated to cost Rs. 1.35 billion and scheduled for completion within one year. However, repeated delays significantly extended the timeline, also contributing to rising project costs.
Spanning approximately 1.2 kilometers, the underpass has now been made operational to ease traffic congestion in the area, although construction work is still ongoing on several remaining components.
Officials allowed partial traffic flow amid growing public frustration over prolonged disruption and slow progress on the project.
While finishing work remains incomplete, lighting installations have been completed, giving the site a more developed appearance during nighttime hours.
The early opening has sparked debate over project management and infrastructure planning, with concerns raised about whether safety and quality standards have been fully met before partial commissioning.
