CM approves 1,490 acres for markets, truck stands

It will be another two years before the entire infrastructure is complete.

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved the transfer of 1,490-acres of land to the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) to establish wholesale markets, warehouses and truck stands on the Northern Bypass.

Karachi DCO Muhammad Hussein Syed told The Express Tribune that the CDGK has officially received the title of the land and will be starting work in a few days. He added, however, that it will be at least another two years before the entire infrastructure is complete.

Wholesale markets and go-downs will be moved from the centre of the city to the Northern Bypass while retailers’ outlets will stay within the city to benefit the people, he said. This effort will be combined with better transportation so that bulk goods can be made available across the country, he added.

The DCO assured the city government will coordinate with market unions, trade bodies and other stakeholders before shifting these markets. He believed that proper parking facilities for trucks near these markets will be appreciated by the business community.

According to the initial plan, the CDGK will distribute land according to the type of industry, such as iron and steel market, electronic goods market, warehouses, asbestos and PVC manufacturing, marble and ceramic businesses, wholesalers, asphalt plants, timber trading, automobiles, paper-related businesses, cloth trading, cold storage, woodwork and furniture businesses, slaughter houses, scrap traders, grains and seeds businesses and transporters for parking.

CDGK will distribute the land to the following businesses:

Iron and steel market Electronic goods market Warehouses Asbestos and PVC manufacturing Marble and ceramic businesses Wholesalers Asphalt plants Timber trading Automobiles Paper-related businesses Cloth trading Cold storage Woodwork and furniture businesses Slaughter houses Scrap traders Grains and seeds businesses Transporters for parking

50 acres 70 acres 100 acres 100 acres 250 acres 60 acres 50 acres 100 acres 75 acres 50 acres 75 acres 50 acres 100 acres 100 acres 50 acres 60 acres 150 acres

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2011.