Sindh govt announces RS40b development package for Karachi

KARACHI: In its total development budget, Sindh government has announced Rs40 billion for the development of Karachi. Out of this, Rs36 billion has been set aside for Karachi in the yearly development programme, while, Rs6.52 billion will be spent on 13 old and seven new schemes under the special Karachi package. On the other hand, additional Rs226-billion investment, with the help of international monetary institutions, will be made in the next five years.

Speaking with particular reference to Karachi’s development, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah maintained in his budget speech that provincial government acknowledges the importance of identifying shortcomings in Karachi’s infrastructure through urban development, as well as meeting the requirements to develop municipal infrastructure in other cities, for the province’s prosperity.

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Sindh Government has examined the problems pertaining to Karachi’s infrastructure and on the basis of its findings, the government will prepare a transformation strategy for the city, to improve its infrastructure and enhance its contribution towards provincial and national prosperity, he said.

In light of this strategy, projects pertaining to municipal services, public transport, development of public places and development of favourable atmosphere for businesses have been initiated.

Chief Minister Shah said that Sindh Government has been working for the development of the metropolis on a large scale. The scale of government’s services for the progress of the city expands every year, he added, informing that Rs29 billion was spent on mega projects in Karachi over a period of two financial years, from 2016 to 2018, and 19 large-scale projects were completed in this duration.

During his speech, Chief Minister Shah also said that government will begin work on the construction of Malir Expressway project and links roads for M-9 Motorway and M-5 Motorway. Moreover, a specific amount has also been allocated for the Marble City project, extending over 300 acres of land on Northern Bypass, in the budget. It is projected that the project would be completed in five years, at a total cost of Rs2.4 billion. Government has also set aside a substantial amount for the construction of IT Park in Karachi.

Additionally, provincial government also plans to complete the sewerage project, S-III, at a cost of Rs3.9 billion, provided by the federal government. The plan was excluded from this year’s federal budget, after which, Centre reduced its investment in the project from Rs36 billion to Rs3.9 billion. However, Rs5 billion has been allocated for Karachi’s overall sewerage plan in the provincial budget.

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Similarly, Rs800 million has been allocated for the completion of K-IV project, which pertains to the development of infrastructure for water supply. Additionally, Rs2 billion has been set aside for the construction of five combined effluent treatment plants in five industrial areas of the metropolis. Another Rs5 billion has been allocated for filthy nullahs in Malir and Korangi treatment plant, TP-IV. Also, Rs5 billion will be spent on Malir Trunk Sewerage treatment plant. Investment agreements with international partners have also been reached, for developmental projects in Karachi, which will be completed in next five years.

Out of Rs226-billion investment by international monetary institutions, Rs98 million will be spent on Karachi Neighbourhood Improvement Project and on the improvement of public places. World Bank will also lend $105 million to invest in improving the performance of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. Besides, $561 million for financing Red Line Bus Project and $438 million for financing Yellow Line bus rapid transit system will also be obtained from international bodies.