KMC Launches Rs. 700 Million Plan to Restore Historic Karachi Markets

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has launched a package of development projects worth more than Rs. 700 million to rehabilitate Karachi’s Old City, with Mayor Murtaza Wahab laying the foundation stone on Sunday.

The projects aim to improve roads, upgrade sewerage infrastructure, and enhance public facilities in key commercial areas. The corporation has set June 30 as the target for completing the main works.

According to officials, the core project will cost Rs. 595.6 million and will cover Jodia Bazaar, Bolton Market, Mithadar, and Kharadar. The plan includes large-scale road reconstruction and a major overhaul of underground sewerage networks in all four areas.

The project will lay about 400,000 square feet of paver blocks and build roughly 850,000 square feet of roads. As part of the sewerage upgrade, authorities will install more than 2,600 feet of new pipelines in Jodia Bazaar and over 4,000 feet in Bolton Market.

Mithadar and Kharadar will receive approximately 4,050 feet and 4,100 feet of new sewerage lines, respectively. In addition, the KMC has allocated Rs. 100 million to restore the historic Lea Market building. The restoration work will take 90 days and will proceed in coordination with local traders.

Speaking to the media, the mayor said the city administration has declared 2026 the year for completing development projects and placed top priority on modernizing the Old City’s infrastructure.