Sir Syed Flyover Karachi closed: traffic diversion routes from NIPA and Gulshan

Karachi Traffic Police closed the Sir Syed Flyover to traffic from the night of 30 September for development work, and it stays shut until the work is finished. No reopening date has been given. Traffic police have published a diversion plan for drivers coming from NIPA towards Hasan Square and for those heading into Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

Sir Syed Flyover closure: the diversions

From NIPA towards Hasan Square, use either of two routes:

1. Turn left at NIPA and take Rashid Minhas Road, or
2. Turn right at Millennium Mall and continue on Stadium Road.

To Gulshan-e-Iqbal Blocks 1, 2, 5 and 13-D, Isa Nagri and Azizabad: turn right under the NIPA Flyover, then take Sardar Ali Sabri Road and the Rab Medical signal.

Traffic police say staff are posted at the main junctions and diversion points to guide drivers.

Who is affected

The closure hits one of the busiest stretches of central Karachi: commuters between Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and the city centre, and anyone driving to the shops, offices and hospitals around Hasan Square. Expect longer queues on Rashid Minhas Road and Stadium Road at morning and evening peak hours, when the diverted traffic joins their usual load.

What to do

• Leave earlier for the next few days, especially between 8 and 10 am and 5 and 8 pm.
• Check live updates on FM 88.6, the traffic police radio channel, before you set out.
• Call 1915, the Karachi traffic police helpline, for route help.
• Plan fuel and fares: a longer route adds kilometres. Our fuel cost calculator works out what an extra few kilometres a day costs at today's petrol price.

The closure comes in the same week that part of the Red Line BRT structure collapsed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, killing a site guard. Read our report: Red Line BRT bridge collapses in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. We will update this page when traffic police announce a reopening date.