Sindh Chief Minister has directed that the Munawar Chowrangi Underpass be completed within a month. However, a site visit by this correspondent has revealed that only 40 percent of the project has been completed over the past year, making completion within the given timeframe highly unlikely.
During an inspection the other day, no labourers, supervisors, or machinery were present at the site; only a watchman was on duty. He said that if work resumes at the pace seen in the early days of the project, completion could be possible, but added that construction had remained halted and he was unaware of the reasons for the delay.
The project, with an estimated cost of Rs1.48 billion, continues to become more expensive due to prolonged delays. Local residents reported severe difficulties, as they must travel long distances to cross the road or descend into a trench beneath the underpass and climb back up—an arduous task, particularly for the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and schoolchildren.
Parts of the underpass were seen submerged in water, while soil has yet to be excavated at the central section where retaining walls are to be built before the roof slab is laid. The entire roadway of the underpass still requires construction, along with drainage and lighting arrangements.
Residents said that even the construction of the retaining walls alone—and the curing time required for cement and concrete—would take more than a month, according to experts. Given these conditions, they believe completion within a month is not feasible.
The underpass serves as an alternative route to the badly damaged University Road, leaving commuters feeling caught between a rock and a hard place.
On Friday, the chief minister had issued instructions to complete both the Munawar Chowrangi and Mena Bazaar underpasses within one month.
