CM orders to open one track of underpass next week

Murad Ali Shah reviews Karachi package development schemes

KARACHI: Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah directed the local government department to complete one track of the Submarine Chowrangi Underpass by January 21 so it can be opened for traffic on January 22.

He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting to review Karachi package schemes at CM House on Monday. The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Principal Secretary to the CM Sohail Rajput, Planning and Development Secretary Shireen Narejo, Karachi Package Project Director Niaz Soomro, engineer Khalid Mansoor, senior concerned officers of the planning and development and finance departments and others.

He also discussed the scheme of the bridge at the Sunset Boulevard and Gizri Boulevard intersection for which work has been started.

The CM said he was keen to start construction of the bridge. "But this work will start in full swing once one track of Submarine Chowrangi Underpass opens for traffic," Shah said and directed the local government minister to complete work on the underpass by January 21.

"I want to complete this scheme within three months. It is the most important bridge and located in a residential area," he said.

The local government minister apprised the CM of the progress of different schemes. Shoro said that construction of the road from Tank Chowrangi to Super Highway via Thadho Nalla launched at a cost of Rs350 million is in full swing. He added that it would be an important alternative route for the traffic of Malir and its adjoining areas towards Super Highway and its related routes.



Shoro said that construction of the Tipu Sultan Road from Sharae Faisal of Rs280 million is a two-kilometre road and its carpeting has started.

"Work on the bridge at Tipu Sultan and the intersection at Shaheed-e-Millat Road is also in progress. It is a Rs515.18 million scheme," he said.

The CM was informed that work on improvement of the Cantt Railway Station Road has also started at Rs224 million. The CM was briefed over the other schemes as well, such as remodeling of the 12000 Road in Landhi, construction of Rs650 million Fawara Chowk to Garden via Abdullah Haroon Road and back to Fawara Chowk, widening of the bridge over Korangi nullah near Habib Bank for Rs200 million, construction of storm water drains from Hassan Square to Lyari River for Rs70 million and construction of storm water drains from Star Gate to Chakora nullah.

Shaheed Lieutenant Yasir Abbas Bridge

Shah told the meeting that the mother of martyred Lieutenant Yasir Abbas, who was killed in an attack on the Mehran Base, had met him during his visit to the Karachi Eat Food Festival.



She had complained that nothing has been named after her martyred son to remember his sacrifice. "I have a lot of respect for Lt Abbas's mother who lost her son in the defence of our homeland," he said and directed Shoro to name the under-construction bridge on 12000 Road after the name of `Shaheed Lt Yasir Abbas' so that his sacrifice and bravery could always be remembered.