Lowest provincial allocation for country's financial hub

Sindh govt earmarks Rs12 billion in ADP for the metropolis in upcoming fiscal year

KARACHI: Despite being the biggest city of the province, the Sindh government has allocated a mere Rs12 billion for Karachi's Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the upcoming fiscal year, which is 20% more than the previous budget but still the least among the province's six divisions.

Of the allocated amount, 67.7% is for 14 new projects. These schemes include construction of four new flyovers, construction, re-construction and remodelling of existing roads and improvement of water supply lines in the city.

Flyovers

Flyovers will be built at Tipu Sultan Road - Khalid Bin Waleed Road intersection, Lea Market, ICI intersection and at the Sunset - Gizri boulevards intersection at a cost of Rs1.5 billion, Rs664 million, Rs1 billion, and Rs0.7 billion respectively. The bridge over Korangi Nullah near Habib Bank will also be widened at a cost of Rs0.2 billion.



Roads

Meanwhile, the Landhi-12000 Road will be constructed and remodelled from Korangi Crossing to Dawood Chowrangi at a cost of Rs1.5 billion. This will be the most expensive road constructed this year.

The second most expensive road to be made this year will be from Fawara Chowk to Garden via Abdullah Haroon Road and back through Zaibunnisa Road at a cost of Rs650 million. Another Rs1.14 billion will be spent on other roads in the city.

Storm water drains and others

The government will be spending Rs270 million on the construction of storm water drains from Hassan Square to Lyari River and from Star Gate to Chakora Nullah off Sharae Faisal. Other than this, Rs400 million will be spent on laying a 24 inch diameter pipeline for the improvement of water supply in Baldia Town. 



Costs revised for ongoing projects 

The remaining Rs4 billion has been assigned for the completion of 15 ongoing projects. It includes revised costs for widening of Sharae Faisal, construction of University Road from Hassan Square to Nipa Chowrangi and from NED University to Safoora Chowk and the rehabilitation of the zoo.

Water and sewerage projects

The Pakistan Peoples Party-led government under has apparently neglected water and sewerage projects in its 'mega schemes'. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has, however, pledged in his budget speech that in the upcoming year projects such as supplying an additional 65 million gallons of water from Haleji Lake to the city and establishment of five effluent treatment plants in the industrial area, will be taken up. However, these projects were not reflected in the ADP documents.



Fate of K-IV and S-III

As for the fate of the Greater Karachi Water Supply Project (K-IV), the CM has announced the provision of Rs6.4 million for the completion of the already delayed project, while mentioning the federal government's commitment to add Rs9.95 billion on its part. For the Greater Karachi Sewerage Plan, known as S-III, the government has allocated Rs1.4 billion.

Allocation for development in other divisions

The Hyderabad division, which includes Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Mittiari, Badin, Dadu and Jamshoro, has been allocated Rs37.14 billion. Mirupurkhas division, which includes Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar and Umerkot, has been earmarked Rs18.72 billion, Shaheed Benazirabad division, which includes Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar and Naushehro Feroz, has been given Rs15.59 billion, Larkana division, which has Larkana, Kamber-Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Kashmore, has been allocated Rs18.15 billion and Sukkur division, which includes Sukkur, Ghotki and Khairpur, has been allocated Rs14.52 billion for development.