New Keamari jetty nears completion

KPT launched the project at a cost of Rs525m three years ago

KARACHI: The construction of a new jetty in Keamari has entered the final stages of completion, after an old jetty, built 100 years ago during the British Raj, was demolished.

The seven ladders used to board the launches in the old jetty had been in a dismal, near unusable condition, leaving Navy officials, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) employees and other personnel using them at risk. The KPT administration, therefore, demolished the old jetty and launched a project for the complete reconstruction of the jetty three years ago, overseen by the trust's planning and development department. With an estimated cost of Rs525 million, the construction work is reportedly 90 percent complete.

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As part of the new project, there is also a new shelter at the jetty, with a waiting room, VIP and general washrooms, and renovated stairs. The floor of the jetty, which is 12 metres wide and 39 metres long, has been re-tiled and the gates of the parking area have been renovated. The project also included paint and repair works, while the jetty has been equipped with new lighting and power facilities as well.

"The old jetty was completely inoperable and its reconstruction was inevitable, so we demolished it and built a new jetty," explained project manager Alauddin, claiming that the jetty would be open for public use as well as for KPT and Navy personnel after its inauguration on December 15. He added that with the new jetty, people would be able to safely board steamers and launches to the remote coastal areas and islands around Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2019.