Karachi, Pakistan (HRNW) — The Director General of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) has announced that the long-awaited Karimabad Underpass is set to be inaugurated and opened for public traffic on April 10, 2026. During a site inspection, the DG KDA confirmed that construction work is currently proceeding at a rapid pace, with laborers and engineers working day and night to meet the upcoming deadline.
Project Scope and Timeline
According to KDA officials, the infrastructure project spans a total length of 1.1 kilometers. The construction of the underpass originally commenced in December 2023, with an initial completion target set for one year. While the project faced several delays, the final stages of asphalt paving and electrical installations are now being fast-tracked to provide relief to the residents of Central District.
Escalating Costs and Economic Challenges
The project has seen a significant surge in its financial requirements over the construction period:
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Initial Estimated Cost: Approximately 1.35 billion PKR.
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Revised Final Cost: Approximately 3.83 billion PKR.
Officials attribute this nearly three-fold increase in costs to the rising prices of construction materials, logistical challenges, and necessary technical adjustments made during the excavation phase. Once operational, the underpass is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion at the busy Karimabad intersection, improving the commute for thousands of Karachiites daily.
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