In a meeting held on Friday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reviewed the developments plans for Karachi. As per the Annual Development Report, 449 schemes are currently underway costing about 40.6 billion rupees. In addition to this, 11 new projects are also to be launched which will come to about 7 billion rupees.
The eleven new projects as informed by Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah comprise of construction on Sharae Noor Jahan, Shah Jehan Avenue and Syed Rais Ahmed Jafri Road, a flyover at Safoora Chowk, bridges at Johar Chowrangi and Garden Road, a road from Grex Village to Y Junction, underpasses at Stargate and Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Road, the construction of roads surrounding the Supreme Court and the renovation of Empress Market.
In Saddar, the planning and development chairperson, local government secretary and Karachi package project director will be working together to come up plans to renovate the area. The plan involves renovations at Empress market which includes restoring broken glasses, old stone work, repairing the clock tower, plantation and also fixing the lighting around the site. Plans for renovating St Patrick’s Cathedral have also been approved by the CM.
The CM also took up the topic of road traffic and asked the Traffic DIG to check car parking on main roads of the city. He further pinpointed specific areas and inquired reasons for delaying the reopening of the road leading from Khaliq-uz-Zaman Road towards Defence Housing Authority Phase 2.
The Karachi Sewerage and Water Department have also been directed to survey the gutter conditions within the city and repair any faults.
In addition, the CM also asked for project to beautify Stadium Road, reconstruct Kakri Ground and develop North Nazimabad Park and a plan for the construction of Mehran Highway.
The CM was dismayed at the slow pace and lack of initiative on part of the authorities. He claimed he had released Rs15.14 billion for projects, but only Rs7.1 billion had been used. He has ordered all departments to report to him within 15 days and update him. H
