KARACHI: Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday asked the National Highway Authority (NHA) to submit a test report on the suitability of heavy traffic on Lyari Expressway.

“The test report should also be verified by NTRC so that Lyari Expressway can be made safe for heavy traffic in all respects before opening it for heavy traffic,” the city administrator said while addressing a high-level meeting.

National Highway Authority General Manager Manzoor Ali, Project Director Saeed Ahmed, Director Maintenance Abdul Quddoos, Munir Ahmed, Shabbir Ahmed, Motorway Police Sector Commander Syed Farhan, Additional IG South Javed Ali Mehar, Chief Engineer KDA Khalid Masroor, Director EA Tanveer Ahmed and other engineers were also present on the occasion.

Wahab said that the benefit of constructing beautiful expressways and underpasses in the city is only when the citizens get full facilities from them. “Lyari Expressway is not benefiting the city at present,” he added.

In addition to the technical tests of the Lyari Expressway, they are also examining the strength of the bridges over the Lyari Naddi to make it safer and more suitable for all types of traffic.

He stressed that the National Highway Authority should complete work in this regard as soon as possible and also take steps to reduce the traffic congestion at the toll plaza on M-9 Super Highway.

The meeting also reviewed the design and various aspects of the Lyari Expressway and its maintenance where necessary so that there is no risk of accidents, especially on slopes and bends.

It may be recalled that Wahab along with NHA and Motorway Police officials had visited Lyari Expressway a day earlier and inspected various parts of the road.