KARACHI, the financial hub of Pakistan, contributes an overwhelming 65 per cent to the federal revenue and nearly 95pc to the provincial treasury. Yet, despite its colossal contributions, the city’s development projects remain in a state of perpetual delay, bogged down by corru-ption, bureaucratic inefficiencies and political polarisation.

Many critical projects have been left unfinished for years, some even for deca-des, while cost estimates have ballooned far beyond their original figures, leaving the city’s infrastructure in a shambles. Once a leader in urban development, Karachi now finds itself in a race it seems to have no chance of winning.

For over two decades, Karachi has faced a glaring and severe water crisis. The K-IV project, designed to supply 650 million gallons of water per day, remains unfinished.

Initially approved in 2014 with an estimated cost of Rs25.552 billion, the project is now expected to further cost Rs126 billion, with only Rs40 billion spent thus far.

Moreover, major roads have fallen into disrepair, and the situation gets worse as repair projects, when launched, are often left incomplete. The inauguration of new road and energy projects worth Rs6 billion recently by the Sindh chief minister is a welcome step, but what about the numerous other projects that have been initiated, but left to gather dust or decay over the years?

The Lyari Expressway, which took decades to complete at an inflated cost of over Rs23 billion, is a prime example of failed urban planning. Initially intended to alleviate traffic congestion, it failed to benefit the majority of Karachi’s comm-

uters. Similarly, the recently announced Malir Expressway appears to cater more to elite real estate developers than to the common man.

Besides, the public transportation system remains in dire straits. The ambitious Transport Master Plan 2030, conceptualised with the help of Japanese experts, is still a distant dream.

As such, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, a part of this plan, has failed to materialise as promised, with Red Line project still in a limbo. Even though the Sindh government has introduced 280 air-conditioned buses through the People’s Bus Service, they fall drastically short of meeting the city’s demands.

Unfortunately, this dismal state of transportation system has forced thousands of people to commute in overcrowded, dilapidated buses.

Furthermore, frequent incidents of building collapse highlight the failure of the city’s building control authorities, marred by rampant corruption as well as complicity. The absence of a reliable fire control mechanism has further exacerbated this crisis.

The Karachi Safe City Project, on the other hand, initiated over eight years ago, is another tragic example of bureaucratic inertia. Given the long delays and history of inefficiency, doubts remain as to whether or not the project will deliver any meaningful improvement to the city’s deteriorating security situation.

The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) has proven itself incapable of handling the city’s garbage crisis, with large piles of waste left unattended across the city.

The burning of garbage contributes significantly to air pollution. Hazardous waste from hospitals and industries is left untreated, while e-waste from electronic gadgets is piling up.

Frankly speaking, without account-ability, proper planning, and the elimi-nation of bureaucratic red-tape, Karachi will continue to be a city of unfulfilled promises, with its potential wasted in a mire of inefficiency and corruption.

Majid Burfat
Karachi

Published in Dawn, November 23th, 2024