THE Sindh government recently inaugurated one section of the Malir Expressway (named Shahrah-i-Bhutto) in Karachi. The total stretch of this corridor shall be 39 kilometres, connecting the M9 Motorway (read: Bahria Town, DHA City and similar developments) to the DHA and adjoining neighbourhoods.

Expressways and similar corridors have financial and social costs. Not long ago, the 16.5km Lyari Expressway was built, which displaced hundreds of thousands. Many affectees are stilltryingto secure housing in government resettlement schemes. But expressways are invaluable for political mileage. Photo ops for leaders are advantages that motivate such schemes.

Motorcycles, large rickshaws, minibuses and ordinary public buses do not use expressways. Thus, expressways largely cater to the elite. Ordinary arterial roads, secondary streets and other roads carry far greater vehicular and pedestrian load. Needless to say, the status of such roads in Karachi is perhaps comparable to warzones! Environmentalists, activists, civil society members and representatives of indigenous communities have been raising serious concerns about the construction of this expressway. Threat to the overall ecology of the river and its environs, depletion of farming activity and alleged high-handedness in forcing affected locals to accept below-market rates as compensation for their land are some concerns.

Moreover, comparisons are drawn between the funds being spent on this project versus the money needed to repair more than 9,500km of city roads. The total cost of the expressway is believed to be around Rs55 billion. The Sindh government will pitch in Rs32bn under a publicprivate partnership arrangement.

Concerned citizens are of the view that if this sum is used to undertake citywide road repair works, enormous relief can be extended to commuters. The expressway will largely benefit car owners and a few other vehicles.

The Malir river is one of the most precious ecosystems that Karachi possesses.

Its catchment area stretches to about 1,850 square kilometres. Shrubs, bushes, trees, vegetable farms, barren soil and fullgrown trees are some of the components of this ecosystem. Sand mining along many of these and adjoining spots continues unabated. The overall topography of the larger area is being adversely impacted due to this undesirable exercise. Besides, the Malir river suffers from unabated discharge of raw sewage from factories and houses. Many trees and shrubs can be found growing in the riverbed due to nutri-ent-rich sewage. It causes a continuous barrier to water flow. During monsoon season the river swells and floods. Large areas along the banks are affected. It is not clear how these complex land uses will be managed once the expressway is completed.

One can draw lessons from other contexts. Many cities built expressways and then demolished them to recapture public space. A well-known example is Cheonggyecheon, a stream in the heart of Seoul, South Korea. Many years ago, an elevated highway was constructed in such a manner that the entire water body was covered up. Many negative spaces emerged underneath the corners along the right of way of the highway. A courageous mayor decided to demolish the elevated highway in a scientific manner and restored the stream. This area now bustles with cultural and social activities.

New Delhi developed a bus rapid transit system in 2008 ahead of the Commonwealth Games. It was inappropriately planned and gave rise to congestionand enhanced air pollution. It was eventually dismantled. Many new and effective public transport options were launched, includ-ing the Delhi Metro. In legal proceedings related to BRT, the Delhi High Court remarked that `a developed country is not one where the poor own cars. It is one where the rich use public transport`.

To maintain ecological balance, Karachi needs the Malir river flowing with clean water. The riverbanks need to be retained in their pristine form, facilitating farming and plantation along designated land uses.

A comprehensive river rehabilitation plan may be prepared to address these and other challenges. This initiative must include the demarcation and alignment protection of Malirriver,includingitstributaries Thadho and Sukkan; protection of farming activity in the adjoining territory; survey and safeguarding of settlements and control of illegal sand mining. The government must pay heed to the demands of villagers and activists who have been demanding a check on unabated sand mining for years.

Transportation, ecology, wetlands development, sewage management, and creation of tourism spots may be incorporated in this expanded initiative. Karachi will greatly benefit if this vital environmental asset is transformed to benefit its surrounding population.

The writer is an academic and researcher based in Karachi.