11 new projects to be launched in Karachi

Murad tells officials to procure an elephant for the zoo, to give rides to children

KARACHI: As part of the Annual Development Plan, 449 schemes of Rs40.6 billion are underway in the city, while 11 new schemes, worth Rs7 billion, will be launched for the improvement of Karachi.

This was announced by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah as he presided over a meeting to review ongoing projects and discuss proposed schemes on Friday.

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah told the meeting that 11 new projects had been identified on the directions of the chief minister.

These new projects include construction on Sharae Noor Jahan, Shah Jehan Avenue and Syed Rais Ahmed Jafri Road, a flyover at Safoora Chowk, bridges at Johar Chowrangi and Garden Road, a road from Grex Village to Y Junction, underpasses at Stargate and Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Road, the construction of roads surrounding the Supreme Court and the renovation of Empress Market.

Development spending remains at 27% of allocation

The restoration of Empress Market is to include plantation, fixing broken glass, restoring old stonework and repairing the clock and lighting around the historical site. The renovation and lighting of St Patrick's Cathedral in Saddar was also discussed and approved in principle.

Murad directed the planning and development chairperson, local government secretary and Karachi package project director to work together to prepare these schemes so that they could be initiated as soon as possible.

He further said that while he had released Rs15.14 billion for the ongoing schemes, but only Rs7.1 billion had been utilised so far.

The CM also expressed his annoyance in delays on the reopening of the left track of the road leading from Khaliq-uz-Zaman Road towards Defence Housing Authority Phase 2.

He was informed that two shops were yet to be vacated in a building at Punjab Chowrangi, upon which he said that the building was illegal and directed Karachi commissioner Iftikhar Shalwani to bulldoze it.

He was displeased that many main roads in the city were being used to park vehicles as well, complaining that the roads looked like car parking grounds. He gave orders for the Traffic DIG to deal with the matter.

Zoological gardens

Discussing a scheme for the improvement of Karachi Zoological Garden, Murad again expressed his dismay over the slow pace of work, calling it 'unacceptable.'

Claiming that the elephant at the zoo did not give rides to children, he directed Nasir to procure an Asian elephant that visiting children could ride.

Pushing for completion

The CM told Karachi Water and Sewerage Board managing director Asadullah Khan to carry out a survey of the city's gutter system, repairing it as needed. "It is not for me to tell you to do each and everything; it is your responsibility to take initiative on your own."

Rs420 million released for uplift projects

He further directed Shalwani to get work on Natha Khan u-turn started as well, adding that he wanted it inaugurated by April. He pointed out that construction on the storm-water drain from Stargate to Chakore Nala had been left incomplete too.

Telling officials that he would begin visiting the ongoing schemes in the next 15 days, he said work on them must be started.

The meeting further decided to beautify Stadium Road, reconstruct Kakri Ground and develop North Nazimabad Park. Besides this, Murad told the planning and development chairperson to prepare a proposal for the construction of Mehran Highway, to be completed next year.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2020.