Spaces under flyovers to become emergency resource centres

KARACHI: The city has expanded in all directions which is why emergency services are now squeezing into spaces left over.

After conducting a study on land utilisation, the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has decided to establish emergency resource pentres (ERC) in the empty spaces under bridges and flyovers.

“These empty spaces have been used for unproductive activities, such as addicts establishing dens and the land mafia eyeing the property,” said Karachi DCO Muhammad Hussain Syed. Leaving empty spaces unprotected and unused for public benefits will result in encroachment, which is already a huge problem for the city, he added.

In order to make use of these idle spaces, the DCO has submitted a plan to set up these centres to the city administrator, Lala Fazlur Rehman. Once the approval is received, the centres will be established within a month, assured Syed.

The CDGK study identified various locations for these response centres but only 15 venues have been selected for the initial phase.

According to Sports District Officer Shariq Ilyas, all those flyovers and bridges that fall within the jurisdiction of the CDGK have been selected for the initiation of the ERC project. These locations are Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Sharae Quaideen (Jamshed Town), Nagan Chowrangi, Finance and Trade Centre, Quaidabad, Regent Plaza, Shah Faisal Colony, Safari Park, Banaras Flyover, Karsaz Flyover, Sohrab Goth, Jail Chowrangi and Hassan Square.

“We are determined to establish ERCs beneath flyovers so that emergency response teams can use them for their vehicles and equipment,” said the DCO.

He added that this is a unique plan and the CDGK will take on board various social welfare organisations to carry out ambulance services. So far, they have chosen the Edhi Welfare Foundation, Chhipa Welfare Association, the Aman Foundation and the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation. Apart from these, the Karachi Electric Supply Company, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Karachi Building Control Authority, Capital City Police, Capital City Traffic Police and other trained paramedical personnel will also be available at an ERC.

Utility service providers will also feel comfortable as they would be in a better position to respond to complaints and accidents within the specific boundaries of the relevant town municipal administrations.

Emergency Response Centres will be set up in:

Liaquatabad

Nazimabad

Shaheed-e-Millat Road

Sharae Quaideen (Jamshed Town)

Nagan Chowrangi

Finance and Trade Centre

Quaidabad

Regent Plaza

Shah Faisal Colony

Safari Park

Banaras Flyover

Karsaz Flyover

Sohrab Goth

Jail Chowrangi

Hassan Square

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