Development clock is ticking

Sindh has become the latest province to join the heady race for completing development schemes. With one eye transfixed on the fast-moving hands of the election clock, almost all the country’s provinces are in a hurry to prove they have what it takes to deliver and spruce up the political image of all parties in government – never mind the lethargy of the past four years.  Apparently the results are all that matter. On Saturday, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued an end-of-month deadline to the top local government and P&D officials to finish all development works under the Rs10 billion Karachi package. To show that he means business, the chief minister warned that he would himself take on the mantle of project director to complete the projects in case there was insufficient energy or will on the part of contractors to begin the projects soon. Shah has also vowed to make surprise visits to the construction sites just in case.

It may sound lame to development experts and the more discerning public but the authorities want us to believe that the progress of the projects was somehow derailed by the monsoon downpours. It must be pointed out that the rains were not sudden and were seasonal and forecast well in advance. Besides those carrying out development works are expected to draw up a contingency plan for rain and other such emergencies.

Fortunately, some of these projects such as upgrading the Pipri filter Plant/pumping station and the construction of the University Road from Hassan Square and another stretch from the NED University to Safoora Chowrangi have seen quite a bit of progress, according to Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro. Sixteen more schemes are to be carried out as part of the new Karachi package. One hopes that the officials don’t leave the city shortchanged in any way in their haste to complete the projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2017.

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