Govt approves Rs1.83 billion for Karachi Development Package

CM speaks about encroachment, load-shedding, condition of public hospitals

KARACHI: The Sindh government has approved the budget of Rs1.83 billion for Karachi Development Package, announced local minister Jam Khan Shoro.

"This amount will be spent on different schemes," he said, adding that Rs800 million will be spent on road to be built from Star Gate to Quaidabad, Rs1.2 billion on Korangi Road and Rs520 million on Kalri and Pitcher drains. "We are going to allocate Rs1.3 billion only to Karachi roads."



Shoro made the announcement while accompanying chief minister Qaim Ali Shah during his visit to Sobhraj Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Gujjar Nullah, on Monday. They were also joined by health secretary Ahmed Bux Narejo and commissioner Asif Hyder Shah.

Surprise visits

"Today, I have come here to witness the condition of the hospitals and the city so that after utilisation of funds I can compare the difference," said the CM while talking to media.

The chief minister also said that he has released over Rs1.9 billion for up-gradation of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation hospitals, repair and maintenance of important roads and cleaning of storm water drains.

"I have also given KMC some extra funds to lift the garbage accumulated at different locations of the city," he claimed.

He expressed his displeasure that the illegal encroachment has appeared along the nullahs in the city. "The nullahs, which had width of over 30-feet, have now been reduced to seven to eight feet because people have constructed their houses on or along them," he said. "How is it possible for such squeezed nullahs to discharge storm water and waste water together?"

Speaking about the condition of the two hospitals he visited, CM said they need special attention. Shoro is taking personal interest in upgrading and equipping the hospitals with necessary machines, he said.

"I am quite satisfied that the district administrations of the city, KMC and health department have collectively made arrangements by setting up heatstroke care centres," he said, adding "I am sure this time rapid response, in case of any emergency,  would protect life of innocent citizens".



Speaking about load-shedding, he said that he had personally requested the prime minister to direct water and power ministry to reduce it in the city and rest of the province. "But, sorry to say nothing has been done so far and the load-shedding is rampant ever since temperature has gone up," he said.

The chief minister also directed the local government minister to work out a detailed plan to shift the encroachers from nalas so that cleanliness work could be undertaken in proper way.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2016.