Malir Expressway #Karachi-
"It will not only resolve traffic congestion issues but will add to the aesthetics of the city” says @MuradAliShahPPP

No.

1/10

1) Expressways do not resolve traffic congestion. It is frankly negligent misinformation to claim otherwise, especially to sell to citizens during a climate crisis when we should be moving away from concrete.

I try to explain with the following diagrams:

i) Let's assume 12 cars where even one braking disrupts free-flow and causes a traffic jam
ii) A new road redirects existing traffic + adds more cars on the road due to induced demand.

More lanes do not solve congestion but rather act as a catalyst.

iii) and iv) To reduce congestion, provide an alternative mobility option, like dignified and subsidized mass transit. Car users will have an incentive to use it (avoiding traffic jams) and take cars off the road.

2) 'Adding to aesthetics of the city'

HOW DOES A SMOG-SPEWING, CONCRETE-VOMIT EXPRESSWAY MAKE A CITY BEAUTIFUL?

....I just disagree.

3) An opportunity to maintain and rejuvenate a greenbelt, not destroy it.

This NDVI is representation of healthy vegetation (and lack of) in Karachi. Notice the banks of the rivers... Lyari has become a sewer, a tragic failure. Malir has a similar fate, set up by concrete.

Urban agriculture is an invaluable asset in light of the climate crisis (growing where consumed). There's an opportunity to recognize these (re: ownership issues) and strictly monitor regulations to treat toxic dumping in Malir. https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1787566/pakistan

@BBhuttoZardari 's vision is to make the whole province "clean and green"... some plantations are taking place... while the existing green infrastructure is being compromised + existing rivers are being dumped with toxic chemicals, sewage, and garbage? https://tribune.com.pk/story/2272379/40000-saplings-planted-by-lyari-malir-rivers

Malir Expressway is questionable, from its opportunity cost, to the displacement of the dwellers, to these other disruptions to be mindful of.

Also watch/read this report by @QaseemSaeed https://twitter.com/QaseemSaeed/status/1357646087197249536?s=20

The project director of Malir Expressway claims that 'they will plant throughout the alignment; whatever they are disrupting, they are going to plant 10 times over'... Let's remember his claim for accountability.