600-Meter Flyover on Sariab Road Is an Impractical Scheme; Comprehensive Plan Should Be Prepared from GSP to PTCL Exchange: Balochistan High Court
Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — The Balochistan High Court has directed that the proposed flyover project on Sariab Road, aimed at reducing growing traffic pressure and providing better commuting facilities to citizens, be re-examined and a comprehensive and workable proposal be prepared for its construction from the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) to the PTCL Exchange. The court observed that the proposed scheme of a 600-meter-long flyover included in the current fiscal year’s 2026-27 Provincial Development Program (PSDP) neither appears practical nor will it fulfill the objective of effectively reducing the existing traffic pressure on Sariab Road.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal issued these orders during the hearing of a constitutional petition. Representatives of concerned government departments, lawyers, and officials of the Quetta Development Authority (QDA) were also present on the occasion, while the Deputy Project Director presented a progress report regarding Sariab Service Road and other development works in court.
The court was informed that in the current fiscal year’s development program, a flyover approximately 600 meters long from the Geological Survey of Pakistan to Munir Ahmed Mengal Road Chowk has been approved. Two further proposals are also under consideration for extending the scope of the project, with the first proposal involving construction of a flyover from Maggi Chowk/QDA Office intersection to Burma Hotel, while the second proposal involves construction of a flyover from the same point to the PTCL Exchange.
After reviewing the proposed project and the alternative proposals presented, the court observed that practical difficulties exist in these proposals. According to the court, in the case of the proposed alternative plans, the starting point of the flyover would have to be extended to Helper Hospital, which would increase the project’s cost and also create concerns regarding environmental effects. Therefore, it is necessary that the project be redesigned under better planning.
The court directed the Project Director to prepare a comprehensive, workable, and technically based proposal for starting the flyover from the Geological Survey of Pakistan and ending it at the PTCL Exchange, and to present it before the concerned authorities for approval and consideration.
The court further directed that the road from QDA Office/Maggi Chowk to the Geological Survey of Pakistan be improved at ground level instead of a flyover, where possibilities exist for improving traffic flow through construction of a proper T-junction and road widening. For this purpose, a formal proposal should be presented before the concerned authorities keeping in view the available land, and the court should be informed of the progress made on it.
During the hearing, a progress report regarding Sariab Service Road and the stormwater drainage project was also presented, according to which a phased strategy has been adopted to complete Sariab Service Road in three parts. The report stated that out of 15,140 meters, asphalt base course work has been completed on 14,500 meters of road, while out of 15,140 meters, asphalt wearing course has been completed on 8,500 meters. Construction of the bridge has been completed, while approximately 98 percent of the stormwater drainage system work has been completed. Approximately 33 percent of the work of installing kerb stones and pavers has been completed, while the remaining work is ongoing. According to the report, completion of work is being affected at some places due to obstacles.
The court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the office of the Advocate General Balochistan for information and necessary compliance. Concerned authorities were directed to present a progress report on new proposals regarding the project before the court, while the constitutional petition was directed to be attached with other related cases, CP No. 824 of 2016.
