KARACHI – Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has officially tendered an apology to the citizens for the ongoing delay in the completion of the Karimabad Underpass.
Apology and Progress Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a new solar energy project, the Mayor acknowledged the inconvenience caused to commuters. “Work on the Karimabad Underpass is now moving at a rapid pace. I apologize for the delay,” he stated, while also challenging political opponents to focus on performance rather than criticism.
A Milestone in Green Energy Marking a significant achievement for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in 2026, the Mayor inaugurated the transition of the city’s main arteries to solar power. This initiative is part of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) manifesto for sustainable urban development.
Key details of the solar project include:
- Phase One Completion: Street lights from Sharea Faisal to the Jinnah International Airport have been fully converted to solar power.
- Extended Coverage: Shahrah-e-Iran and Shahrah-e-Ghalib have also been shifted to the solar grid.
- Project Cost: The total investment for this phase stands at Rs. 1 billion.
Economic and Operational Benefits The Mayor highlighted that this shift would save KMC approximately Rs. 25 million annually in electricity bills. Furthermore, the street lights will remain operational during power outages and load-shedding, ensuring consistent road safety.
To ensure accountability, KMC has signed a 5-year maintenance guarantee with the contracting companies. “The company responsible for the installation will be bound to maintain and repair the lights for the next five years,” Wahab added.
