CM orders removal of encroachment

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided a meeting to follow up on the progress of removal of encroachment from footpaths, green belts and roads across the city, completion of Malir Expressway, and TP-4, Hub Canal.

Provincial ministers, Saeed Ghani, Zial Lanjar, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, SMBR Baqaullah Unnar, MD SSWMB Imtiaz Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Secretary Planning Khair Mohammad Kalwar, DG SBCA Rasheed Solangi, Special Secretary Local Govt Aisha Hameed, MC Afzal Zaidi, Karachi CEO Water Board Salahuddin, Zubair Channa and Malir Expressway official Niaz Soomro attended the meeting.

The CM said that the footpaths are meant for the people to move hassle-free, but they have been encroached upon under the nose of the administration. "Now, the green belts of the roads have also been occupied illegally by Dhabas and other such make-shift settlements.

Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi said that the assistant commissioners have started compiling data on encroachments on the footpaths, roads green belts and even debris put on the roads for under-construction buildings and a detailed plan would be submitted to the government. At this, the CM said that it was the job of local bodies, local administration and the police not to allow encroachment on the public spaces.

Mayor Murtaza Wahab told the CM that he was working on the plan to remove encroachment from the KMC roads in a planned manner.

He said, parking spaces in the buildings have been converted into godowns, as a result, cars and motorcycles are parked on roads outside the buildings.

DG of the SBCA Rasheed Solangi told the CM that the officers of his authority have started the survey of the commercial plaza where approved parking areas have been converted into godowns. After the survey, the plazas would be issued notice to restore their parking areas.

The CM said that he had given two weeks to the administration and local bodies to work out a plan for the removal of encroachment and now one week has passed and the administration has one week to submit report.

Malir Expressway

The chief minister said that the first segment of the 15-km Malir Expressway from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Shah Faisal Colony would prove to be an alternate road to the airport which was most important for the people of the city.

The PD Malir expressway told the CM that due to some litigation issues the work has been delayed. He requested the CM to give him a month so that he could complete the remaining work of the first segment.

The CM directed the PD to complete all the remaining works by the middle of September so that he could open it for the public in the last week of September.

The CM directed deputy commissioners, local bodies and the police to protect government land and property.

TP-4

The CM was informed that the water demand of industries in KIA and Korangi Creek is about 40 MIGD. The Project will help KWSC alleviate the shortage of potable water and bring environmental and public health benefits to Karachi.

The CM directed the DG PPP Unit Asad Zamin to work out a tentative timeline for the TP4 project. "I want you to complete all the pre-bid to financial close formalities by the end of 2025.

Hub Canal

Murad reviewed the Hub Canal rehabilitation project and set a timeline for the water board to follow it. He directed the chairman of the board, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab to mobile contractor by July 28 and start work in the first week of August.

The CM said that the
rehabilitation of the pumping station, civil, electrical and mechanical works should be done by May 2025.

The rehabilitation of the existing canal would add 35 to 40 MGD water to the system for west, central and Keamari districts.

SSWMB

The CM told the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board to make this city neat and clean. He added that every road, and area of the city must give a hygiene look.