City's iconic globe to be relocated

Landmark escapes demolition due to BRT route

KARACHI:

The local government has decided to rescue the city's iconic globe in front of the Islamia College and the Dowood College of Engineering from demolition.

The landmark, already in state of neglect, falls on the routed of a bus rapid transport (BRT) project.

Town Municipal Administration (TMC) of Jinnah Town on Monday held a media talk regarding the transfer of Karachi's World Globe on New MA Jinnah Road.

TMC Chairman Rizwan Abdul Sami said that the globe has a historical status which is a heritage of Karachi. Built in 1964, it was a very beautiful gift for the people of Karachi by the then city administration.

The monument has been captured in scenes of many movies and songs of the time. Over time, due to lack of maintenance, it has fallen into disrepair and destruction, and was on the verge of demolition due to construction of the BRT line. To preserve this historical monument, the Jinnah Town administration has decided to shift this heritage icon to another place, for which permission from concerned departments has been taken.

The Town Chairman said that the World Globe will be shifted to a park on Stadium Road. After its safe shifting and restoration, people may show this historical heritage to their future generation and tell its history.

Chairman Sami said that Jinnah Town has hired a professional consultant for the task, which will prepare the feasibility and the route plan for the movement of the heritage. The transfer will be done at night so that the people do not face any kind of problem.

Chairman Sami further said that the town administration will do all the work from its own funds under the supervision of the consultant. The weight of the globe is about 60 tons, for which heavy cranes will be hired. In the first phase, it will be dismantled and after the transfer it will be reconstructed again. For this entire process, the base strength of both places has also been checked so that no danger remains after installation.