Be responsible or find another job, project directors warned

CM unhappy over delay of work despite all funds having been released

KARACHI: Heads of development projects in Karachi earned the ire of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday as he expressed displeasure on the pace of work on development projects.

Shah, while reviewing the Rs10-billion Karachi megaprojects, expressed displeasure over the inordinate delay in the implementation process. According to him, the Sindh government has released the funds for all the Karachi megaprojects. “I have made a commitment with the people of my city so I will not back out of it,” he said. “I know how to get the work and get it done.”

The megaprojects include construction of important roads, revamp of industrial areas, amelioration of flyovers and repair of drainage system.



Reviewing the scheme of University Road from Hassan Square to NIPA worth Rs770 million and the one from NED University to Safora Chowk worth Rs780 million, he asked about the publication of tenders in the newspapers. He was told that it will appear within the next two days. Expressing dismay, he said that it should have been done by now. “The road is in a shambles,” he said. “Wide craters have developed into it with the flow of traffic. The reports of accidents and public inconvenience are on the rise. Have mercy on the people and expedite it.” When he asked about the purchase of 100-metre-long snorkels for the city, he was told that the process was in progress. Shah was again irked by this. “Either work with me or find another job,” he said to the heads of the projects. “You have to be responsible and alert in your work, otherwise, I am sorry to say, you would not be able to work with me.”

When told by Tariq Road project director Niaz Soomro that it will be constructed from Shaheed-e-Millat Road to Sharae Quaideen and is a Rs516-million scheme, the chief minister asked him to complete this project latest by January 2018.

Briefing the chief minister about the rehabilitation of Mosmyat Road from Madaras Chowk to Super Highway, Soomro said that it is a Rs200-million scheme and work will be started very soon. The chief minister said that he will personally check the quality of work. “I would recommend you bring in good contractors and maintain absolute merit in awarding these works, otherwise I will take ruthless action,” he warned.

The CM said that he has already approved Rs850 million for widening of Sharae Faisal on the both sides from Metropole Hotel to Star Gate. “I am keen to perform its ground-breaking ceremony, so expedite the required formalities,” he urged the project director and directed chief secretary Siddique Memon to keep reviewing progress of each and every scheme. The chief minister gave completion dates to be abided by for each and every scheme. Shah also directed the Karachi Commissioner to study the proposal to make II Chundrigar Road a one-way road and find out its parallel road for light traffic.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2016.