Keamari district sees its first development project

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated on Saturday the first development project - Waterfront Manora Beach Road - in the newly created Keamari district.

Speaking on the occasion, he said he aimed to turn Keamari into a "model district."

The CM explained the six-kilometre road was a part of a broader initiative to improve Karachi's waterfront and establish more recreational public spots. He added that extending from Kakapir to Y-junction, the project cost Rs456.64 million.

At present, the Manora beach is not being used to its full potential, he pointed out, elaborating that it saw fewer visitors than other beach due to a dearth of facilities like seating, dining areas, restrooms, shade and cleanliness arrangements.

"Our objective is to provide basic facilities and introduce [leisure] activities to increase visitors' footfall at the Manora beach," the CM stated. "Karachi's main attraction is its beaches and coastline, but there are few options for people from middle or lower-middle class backgrounds."

There is just the Sea View beach, Hawkes Bay and Sandspit, he counted, stressing the dire need for new recreational avenues. "The [development of] Manora beach is a part of this initiative."

Further elaborating on the scheme, he said that besides the road, the project includes laying down concrete pavers, erecting a wall with static digital display, installing light bollards and developing hard and soft landscape, under the Uplift of Manora Segment-I component. Work on these is in progress, he added.

Besides, he said, a paved parking area surrounded by a boundary wall was also to be constructed.

He further announced the construction of a road from Gulbai to Hawkes Bay and vowed to resolve water, sanitation and infrastructure issues in the new district.

Differences with Centre

Replying to a question, he expressed surprise at the Centre holding the provincial government responsible for gas and electricity shortage in the city.

"The federal government controls electricity and gas production and distribution companies are responsible for supplying the commodities without disruption," he said, adding that the Centre was shifting the blame on Sindh to hide its inefficiency.

In response to another question, the CM maintained that most projects under the Rs1.1 trillion Karachi Transformation plan were funded by the Sindh government.

"The [projects] are not new as such and most are already underway, including those co-funded by the Sindh and federal government, like K-IV [bulk water project], which has been handed over to the Centre for completion," he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2020.