Karachi to Remove Two Traffic Signals on Shahra-e-Quaideen for Smoother Flow
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) plans to remove two traffic signals on Shahra-e-Quaideen and introduce U-turns to improve traffic flow. The change is aimed at making the road signal-free up to Society Office, a move that could bring real relief to commuters on one of the city’s busiest corridors.
KMC Director General of Engineering Tariq Mughal said planning for the project had reached its final stage. The proposed changes target the stretch that connects Shahra-e-Faisal toward Mazar-e-Quaid, where the two signals currently interrupt the flow of traffic.
What will change on the road
Under the plan, authorities will introduce one U-turn before Allah Wali Chowrangi and another between Allah Wali Chowrangi and Noorani Chowrangi. The two existing signals on this stretch will be removed.
The changes will help traffic travelling from Shahra-e-Faisal toward Mazar-e-Quaid, which currently has to stop at both signals. However, the signal near Khudadad Colony will remain operational, so that part of the road will not become completely signal-free.
Why it matters for Karachi commuters
Shahra-e-Quaideen is a key link in Karachi’s road network, feeding traffic between the city’s main artery, Shahra-e-Faisal, and the area around Mazar-e-Quaid. During rush hours, signals on such corridors create long queues that spill back into connecting roads.
Signal-free corridors and U-turn-based designs have become KMC’s preferred tool for such bottlenecks. Removing the stops allows continuous flow, while U-turns give drivers a controlled way to change direction without signalised intersections. The approach has already been applied on several Karachi arteries, with mixed results depending on enforcement and lane discipline.
For daily commuters, the practical benefit should be shorter travel times and fewer sudden stops. The risk, as traffic experts often point out, is that U-turns can create new congestion points if drivers cut across lanes or if the turning bays are too short. Much will depend on how the city manages the transition once the signals come down.
What happens next
With planning at its final stage, KMC is expected to begin implementation soon. The civic body has not yet announced a timeline for the removal or for the construction of the two U-turns.
Karachi’s transport scene has seen several changes this year, including the partial suspension of the Islamabad metro bus service that affected intercity commuters. For Karachi residents, the Shahra-e-Quaideen project joins a list of road schemes the city hopes will ease its chronic congestion.
Frequently asked questions
Which signals are being removed in Karachi?
KMC plans to remove two traffic signals on Shahra-e-Quaideen, on the stretch before and around Allah Wali Chowrangi and Noorani Chowrangi.
What will replace the signals?
Two U-turns will be introduced: one before Allah Wali Chowrangi and another between Allah Wali Chowrangi and Noorani Chowrangi.
Will the whole road become signal-free?
Not entirely. The signal near Khudadad Colony will remain operational, so that stretch will not become completely signal-free.
When will the changes be implemented?
KMC said planning had reached its final stage, but no timeline for implementation has been announced yet.
Source: ProPakistani
