KMC launches Rs1.1b development works

Administrator says opening Burns Garden to public

KARACHI:

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) started development works in Karachi at a cost of Rs1.1 billion, said Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab on Saturday.

"Roads and street lights in different parts of the city will be improved at a cost of Rs1.5 billion in the same financial year. At least 240 new buses for Karachi and 10 new buses for Larkana will reach Karachi between January 31 and February 7," the administrator expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Burns Garden.

Metropolitan Commissioner Syed Afzal Zaidi, Director General Parks Junaidullah Khan and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Barrister Wahab said that Solid Waste Management Board will take over the garbage collection and cleaning work in Korangi District this month and in Central District from next month. He said that PTI government cannot solve basic problems, adding that inflation rises to 1.9% in one week

The administrator said that he was present at the historic Burns Garden which was located at a very important place, adding that the doors of this park were closed for the citizens. "But now its doors are being opened to the public. After that the renovation of Frere Hall started with the help of US Consul General and now Burns Garden is being renovated," he added.

He said that in addition to planting trees in public places, planting of urban forest has also started. He said that there were thousands of tons of debris in Burns Garden which had been removed. The Administrator said that trees and grass are being planted so that thousands of citizens who come to People's Square for recreation can have access to this green space.

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He said that Aziz Bhatti Park in East District would also be renovated. "All major arteries will also be beautified to improve the environment of Karachi," he said.

Wahab said that a tender had been issued for construction of road from Machli Chowk to Canopy at a cost of Rs800 million. A tender has been issued for the accuracy of street lights on Mai Kolachi Road at a cost of Rs200 million.

"Work is underway to repair the fish aquarium and fix the expansion joints of Karachi's bridges and restore Sir Aga Khan Park. All these works will start in a few days after fulfilling the legal requirements," he added.

The administrator said that Rs260 million had been allocated for improvement of Zulfiqarabad Oil Tankers Parking Terminal.

He said that a technical study will be completed for the renovation of the supermarket located in Central District and the supermarket Liaquatabad which was inaugurated by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto will be improved again.

Wahab said that a project has been prepared for the construction of roads and patchwork in the city with the cooperation of the Sindh government and for this Karachi has been divided into three zones.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2021.