Complete Lyari Expressway by Dec 21 or face action, warns SHC

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed on Monday the provincial government to complete work on Lyari Expressway project until December 21.

While hearing a case on the compensatory funds for families shifted due to work on the mega project, the court remarked that in case of non-implementation, it will take action against the responsible individual/ department.

The bench observed that the project should be open to the public by January 1, 2018.

The SHC noted that the project which was estimated to be completed in 2003 for Rs3 billion is now costing around Rs23 billion.

Despite multi-billion rupees expenditure in the last 15 years, Lyari Expressway is yet to be completed as the civic administration has once again claimed that the megaproject will finish untill the year's end.

The mega project from Maripur Road to Sohrab Goth, expected to cater to 0.2 million vehicles annually, has not yet been completed despite promises from respective governments and administrations. 

Reportedly, 20 per cent of the construction work on the project is yet to be completed.

Despite several attempts, concerned officials did not give their comments on why the project has not been completed. 

The provincial government gave houses and funds for the rehabilitation of around 15,000 displaced families.