City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday inaugurated a Rs. 900 million project to convert street lights on Sharea Faisal to solar power, marking a major step toward using cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy in Karachi.
Speaking at the ceremony, the mayor said the project would help reduce the city’s electricity expenses, with estimated annual savings of around Rs. 25 million. Under the initiative, the company installing the solar panels will also handle their operation and maintenance and provide a five-year warranty.
Mayor Wahab said the city administration plans to illuminate three major roads through solar energy and described 2026 as a year focused on development. He said several public welfare projects are underway across Karachi, including in Keamari and the Old City area, while work is progressing on Shahrah-i-Bhutto and the Murghi Khana Bridge.
He added that the Shahrah-i-Bhutto stretch from Qayyumabad to Kathore would soon open to traffic, benefiting both Karachi residents and intercity commuters. Officials said street lights on Sharea Faisal and Shahrah-i-Iran have already shifted to solar systems under the project.
The mayor also announced that Sir Shah Suleman Road, Mai Kolachi Road, and other major arteries will move to solar lighting in the next phase. He said the shift to solar energy addresses long-standing issues caused by load-shedding, which previously left many roads poorly lit despite complaints directed at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.
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