Murad Ali Shah. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The CM took the decision on Monday while presiding over a meeting to review progress of ongoing development schemes launched under Karachi Package.
Shah expressed his concern over recent blazes in various factories and shopping centres in the city. He directed the local government minister to inquire into the fire incidents.
"I want to hand over one snorkel and three fire tenders to Karachi, six fire tenders to divisional headquarters and one fire tender to Qasimabad, Hyderabad," he said.
Murad Ali Shah and his cabinet to take oath today
The snorkel procured for the city is 104 metres long, purchased at a cost of Rs199 million. The fire tenders have been purchased for Rs19 million each.
The CM inquired about four major ongoing schemes in the city - renovation of Tipu Sultan Road, Tipu Sultan Flyover, Sunset-Gizri Boulevard Flyover and Cant Station road - which were in progress when his last tenure ended. He was informed that all the schemes were almost complete with only minor touch-ups left.
Shah asked Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani to make necessary arrangements for their inauguration. "I want to officially open them for public this week," he said.
Soomro briefed the CM on the construction of U-turn at Natha Khan Bridge, which is a Rs70 million project. The meeting was informed that the pace of work was slow and only 5% of work had been completed. Shah directed his principal secretary Sohail Rajput to look into land acquisition issues of the U-turn so that it could be completed within the next two months.
The meeting was informed that 70% work on Drigh Road underpass along Sharae Faisal with restoration of right turn bridge had been accomplished and further work was in progress. It is a Rs1.6 billion scheme.
Work on Submarine Chowrangi project worth Rs2.2 billion was 95% complete, the CM was informed. The CM pointed out that beautification of the chowrangi and opening of connecting roads was still pending. "I have seen it personally and want you to complete it at the earliest," he directed Karachi Package Project Director Niaz Soomro.
Shah also expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of development work at Karachi Zoo. It is hardly a Rs331.3 million scheme, he said, directing Soomro to expedite the work.
It was pointed out that widening of Stadium Road from the National Stadium to Rashid Minhas Road, which is a Rs379.8 million project, had been completed 75%. Similarly construction of road from Tank Chowrangi to the Super Highway via Thaddo Nalo, which is a Rs574 million project, had been 85% achieved.
The construction of a storm drain from the Star Gate to Chakora Nullah, that has been estimated at Rs200 million, is still in its initial stages, the meeting was informed. To this, the CM directed the local government minister to personally monitor the completion of on-going schemes. "I want them to be completed at the earliest so that we could start new schemes," he said.
Murad Ali Shah scorns Shehbaz's promises for Sindh
The meeting was also attended by Local Government Secretary Khalid Hyder Shah, Finance Secretary Noor Alam, Planning and Development Secretary Shireen Narejo and other officers.
CM calls on Bilawal
The CM also called on Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Bilawal House. Ghani was also present at the meeting. The CM informed Bilawal about his strategy to improve governance in the province and and resolve issues being faced by the people.
Ghani briefed the PPP chairperson on the role of his department in facilitating local bodies of the province to deliver facilities at the grass-root level.
Speaking to Ghani, Bilawal said local governments were the basic tiers of democracy and they were responsible for the delivery of civic amenities to people. The PPP chairperson directed the local government minister to take steps to improve local bodies.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ