Administrator proposes new council hall for KMC

Says British-era city council hall in overcrowded old city area running out of capacity

KARACHI:

The new City Administrator has proposed the construction of a new council hall for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)).

The original hall in the iconic British-era KMC building constructed in 1932 has a 310-member capacity whereas the new council hall to be built after the local bodies elections in January will have 367 members, Karachi Administrator Dr. Syed Saifur Rehman said.

He was chairing a meeting with KMC officers at his office on Sunday. Municipal Commissioner Syed Shujaat Hussain and other relevant officers were also present. Rehman said that four sites have been shortlisted for the construction of the new council hall with 500 seats. These include places near Aladin Park, Safari Park, Super Highway, and Clifton.

He directed the Engineering Department to inspect these sites and submit a report besides preparing a hall design. The Administrator told the engineers to come up with a design that could become the identity of the metropolitan city.

The Administrator said that the new centrally air-conditioned council hall will have 500 seats, offices of the mayor, deputy mayor, municipal commissioner, chairmen of different committees, media, council, guest's gallery, media gallery, cafeteria, parking area, latest sound system, and internet facility will be provided. Moreover, there will be a facility for TV channels for live coverage from the council hall.

He said that allocations would be made for the construction of the new council hall in the budget of the next financial year, while the Sindh government would also be requested to provide special funds for this purpose. He said that this new building would be of European style and would be open on all four sides with no walls around it.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2022.