KARACHI — Commuters in Karachi are bracing for weeks of traffic disruptions as University Road, one of the city’s busiest arteries, is set to remain closed from November 10 to December 30. The closure comes as part of the Karachi Water and Sewerage System Improvement Project (KWSSIP), which has begun installing a new 2.7-kilometre water pipeline network under the K-4 supply scheme.
According to officials, the first phase of the project will cover the stretch between NIPA Chowrangi and the Federal Urdu University, while the second phase will extend from Hasan Square to NIPA Chowrangi. The large-scale development involves laying 96-inch and 72-inch diameter pipelines, with completion targeted by the end of December.
To manage traffic flow during construction, authorities have announced alternate routes. Vehicles will be diverted through NIPA Chowrangi towards Aladin Park, officials said, urging motorists to plan their commutes accordingly.
The project is part of Karachi’s broader K-4 water supply initiative, aimed at improving the city’s water distribution system and addressing chronic shortages. However, the ongoing construction adds to the frustration of residents and daily commuters who are already dealing with deteriorated road conditions and delays caused by the still-incomplete Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project a multibillion-rupee initiative that has dragged on for more than three years.
Officials have appealed for public cooperation during the development work, assuring that once completed, the new infrastructure will help strengthen Karachi’s aging water supply network and ease future urban strain.
