Red tape: Aquarium fish in troubled waters

The city administration had sent the project outline to the Sindh government asking for at least Rs250 million.


Our Correspondent November 24, 2012

KARACHI:


As elections draw near and politicians divert funds to “voter-friendly” projects, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s plan to build an underwater aquarium tunnel has hit snags.


The government is delaying the release of funds for the tunnel inside the Clifton Aquarium, a senior KMC official told The Express Tribune.

The tunnel will be the first of its kind in the country and allow people a new experience of seeing marine life up close. The city administration had sent the project outline to the Sindh government asking for at least Rs250 million.

“It is an expensive project. The KMC alone cannot finance it and we need contribution from the provincial government,” said the official, requesting anonymity. “But a summary has been pending at the Chief Minister’s office for weeks and I don’t think they are serious about it now.”

Pakistan’s largest public aquarium has remained closed for the past six years.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.

COMMENTS (2)

Rafi | 11 years ago | Reply I think our leaders need to wake up at this moment of history. They plan to invest public money on projects which, in real, do not bring happiness to the the masses. Why can't they invest this money on education especially in rural areas. People are living in bits and pieces in many areas and much below poverty line and today we as a nation face the darkest moments while fighting against militancy in FATA and Balochistan. This is the right time to reconsider our priorities and invest in the projects which aim at bringing those areas which remained neglected in the past, at par with developed areas only then we can hope for end of violence in our beloved motherland where everyone can live in harmony and peace. Let us bring those in mainstream who are angry with us and provide them a chance of better life and education.
sadia | 11 years ago | Reply

After fore-seeing the situation in Pakistan, the KMC is even thinking of spending such an amount of money on aquariums. The condition of the country has gone bad to worst, how can even plan such a project which won't even cost them 250 million infact half of it will be going in their pockets. Its shameful enough to be a part of a country with such ridiculous government spending.

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