The ongoing construction of the 39 km Malir Expressway in Karachi has become a subject of concern due to its potential environmental and social repercussions. This article examines the controversies surrounding the project, including its impact on the Malir River, displacement of residents, and implications for the city's climate. Additionally, it delves into the objections raised during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and the withdrawal of funding by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Route Map and Construction:
Approved by the Sindh Provincial Government in 2020, the Malir Expressway starts at the KPT Interchange, traverses Qayyumabad, and concludes near Kathore on the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway, following the course of the Malir River. However, concerns have been raised over the modification of the route map in 2021, which prioritizes minimizing displacement but comes at the cost of damaging the historical Malir River.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Litigation:
Construction on the expressway commenced in January 2022, prior to the sharing of the EIA report with the public. In the subsequent EIA hearing, over 100 objections were raised but remained unaddressed, leading to continued construction. The contested EIA has resulted in litigation in district courts, primarily due to the following issues:
Construction on the riverbed and flood plains: The project's location poses the risk of annual flooding during the monsoon season, potentially endangering nearby communities, particularly in Shah Faisal Town.
Destruction of green fields and agricultural land: The project involves clearing thousands of fully grown trees and encroaching on rural areas, causing ecological devastation and threatening the livelihoods of those dependent on the land.
Displacement of residents: Houses have been demolished to make way for the expressway, forcing many people to relocate to other areas and disrupting their lives.
Impact on local biodiversity: The construction threatens various bird, mammal, and fish species by altering their natural habitats, placing them at risk of becoming endangered.
Consequences of urban concretization: The expressway's construction contributes to the ongoing concretization of Karachi, resulting in increased traffic, greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, and exacerbating global warming and heatwaves.
Project Status and Future:
As of March 2023, 70% of the Malir Expressway route has been cleared and leveled. The original plan was to open half of the expressway for traffic on August 14, 2023, with the remaining portion opening by mid-2024. However, the project faces uncertainty due to ongoing litigation surrounding the EIA report and the withdrawal of funding by the ADB. Illegal excavation on the Malir River bed and fields has further complicated the project's completion, casting doubt on its feasibility and potential damage to Karachi's only surviving river.
Karachi Climate March:
Against this backdrop, civil society organizations and environmental activists have organized the Karachi Climate March, scheduled for July 16, 2023. The march aims to raise awareness about climate change, highlight the environmental challenges facing the city, and demand urgent action from the government. Issues such as water scarcity, urban flooding, power outages, heatwaves, air pollution, and the degradation of natural resources will be central to the march's agenda.
The Malir Expressway construction project in Karachi continues to face significant controversy due to its potential environmental and social consequences. The ongoing litigation, withdrawal of funding, and damage to the Malir River have cast doubts on the completion of the expressway. The Karachi Climate March serves as a platform for citizens to voice their concerns and advocate for urgent measures to address climate change and protect the city's environment. It calls for climate justice, sustainable development, and the preservation of natural resources for the well-being of current and future generations.
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