Karachi commuters face major disruptions starting tomorrow, as authorities launch a critical water pipeline project on one of the city’s busiest arteries. Officials from the Karachi Water and Sewerage System Improvement Project (KWSSIP) announced today that a key section of University Road will shut down completely for 51 days. Specifically, the stretch between Nipa Chowrangi and Federal Urdu University closes from November 10 to December 30, 2025, forcing both tracks off-limits to traffic.

Workers began digging yesterday, and heavy machinery now lines the route. They install massive 96-inch and 72-inch water lines over 2.7 kilometers as part of the K-4 supply scheme augmentation. This initiative aims to boost Karachi’s water distribution network, yet it piles fresh pain onto travelers already battered by the delayed Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) construction.

Moreover, project plans reveal two phases ahead. The current first phase targets Nipa Chowrangi to Federal Urdu University, while the second phase will tackle Hasan Square to Nipa Chowrangi—potentially extending hassles further. However, skeptics point to Karachi’s history of delays, and officials set December 30 as a firm deadline, though many doubt it will hold.

To ease the chaos, traffic police direct vehicles via Nipa Chowrangi toward Aladin Park as the main alternate route. Commuters should plan extra time, and authorities urge cooperation to keep flows moving. Additionally, residents in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, and nearby areas brace for gridlock, especially since the ongoing BRT work already damages roads and stirs dust daily.

In contrast to past closures for protests or events, this one stems purely from infrastructure upgrades. Yet, it highlights Karachi’s endless cycle of digging and delays. For now, drivers adapt quickly, or they risk hours stuck in jams.