Rs700m projects for Old City Area

Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Sunday said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) was undertaking large-scale development and restoration work in the historic Old City Area, with 2026 declared as the year of completion of development projects.

Talking to media after laying the foundation stone of various infrastructure schemes in Lyari and the Old City Area, the mayor said equipping the Old City with modern urban facilities was among KMC's top priorities.

He said development projects worth Rs595.6 million were currently under way, while overall around Rs700 million would be spent on the Old City Area.

He said the projects included rehabilitation of roads, wearing courses, paver blocks and sewerage lines in Jodia Bazaar, Bolton Market, Mithadar and Kharadar.

The foundation stone was laid for road construction, improvement of the sewerage system, and street lighting and electrification works.

Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, elected representatives and a large number of local residents were present on the occasion.

The mayor said the historic Lea Market would be restored at a cost of Rs100 million, adding that the rehabilitation work would be carried out in its original condition in consultation and cooperation with traders. He said the project would be completed within 90 days.

Terming the Old City a major commercial hub, he said improvement would only be possible through coordinated efforts by the government, administration and trader community.

Mayor Wahab stressed the need for better coordination among civic agencies, saying it should not happen that roads are constructed and later dug up by other institutions.