KARACHI: National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) instead of using Lyari Expressway for benefit of Karachiites by solving its stiff traffic problems have further deteriorated situation, especially after recent rains when other roads conditions in city have become worst.

After demolition of more than 15,000 houses and a cost of more than 11 billion rupees, it was a dream for planners and expected that 16.5 km long shortest possible route from Karachi port to Sohrab Goth connecting with Super Highway for up country heavy traffic would bring a sigh of relief to residents from super congested traffic problems. But practically, it has become a nightmare for citizens and a completely flopped project of country wasting billions of rupees from national exchequer.  

NHMP from very beginning has disallowed port traffic of trucks and trawlers carrying cargo for exports and imports on one hand, while entry of motorcycles is also banned to travel on these idle laying three-lane roads for up and down traffic. Only car riding is allowed on this lavishly built road which could be estimated as even less than one percent of total traffic of Karachi, by charging heavy toll tax for each entry.  

Counsel for bikers in Islamabad High Court Baber Sattar during course of hearing in March 2019 before IHC argued that many countries in world have allowed heavy motorbikes on motorways. He pointed out that as per Motorway Ordinance 2000 there is no restriction on entry of bikes on motorways. According to counsel in 2011, heavy bikes were allowed on motorways for three years and not a single complaint was registered against bikers.  

This project had been delayed for more than 15 years due to lack of federal funding and no interest shown by Sindh government. After High Court deadline, Lyari Expressway completion date was finally announced. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated pending northbound track of expressway on January 28, 2018 that starts from Mauripur and ending at Sohrab Goth Interchange. There are no road lights installed on any side of Expressway and no restriction is for pedestrians' from adjacent populations roaming on either side which results in horrible accidents on empty but fast traffic lanes in daylight as well as in darkness of night. Therefore, night driving is more dangerous than day.  

Safety railing on both sides of lanes is already damaged and broken due to accidents at many places which were never repaired by authorities. Prescribed speed limit on other up-country motorways is 110 km which could be exceeded by less than 30 km but at Lyari Expressway NHMP has allowed only an 80-km speed limit that may not be exceeded even 10 km according to NHMP force appointed there. Any motorists crossing this limit are challaned instantly while there is no recording system and replaying video of overspeeding allegations available. Hence police check posts are always smart enough to charge a cash penalty of Rs 700 per alleged offense on spot.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 30 2022

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