The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) will construct a modern park in the proximity of Mai Kolachi bypass on a piece of land measuring 15 acres. Federal minister for ports and shipping Senator Babar Ghauri performed groundbreaking of the KPT's Chandni park project at Mai Kolachi road on Tuesday.
The park is part of the KPT's ongoing project of "development and rehabilitation of Mai Kolachi road and Khayaban-e-Jami". Presently, the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) is working on the project, which also features construction of underpass at the Schon Circle with a cost of Rs 648 million.
KPT general-manager planning and development Brigadier Syed Jamshed Zaidi, speaking on the occasion, said the idea behind the construction of Chandni park is to encourage and conserve ecology and beauty of the city.
He said approximately 15 acres area on the north-east side would be converted into a public park. Mrs Bilgrami is named consultant for the project.
Prominent features of the park will be car parking area for visitors, proper security arrangements, water elements, jogging track, toilets and refreshment kiosks, etc, he added.
Brigadier Zaidi said: "The beautification of the city is an in-built part of the Mai Kolachi contract, wherein aesthetic lighting along the Khayaban-e-Roomi and sculptures at Boat Basin and Schon Circle have been catered.
"We plan to light up the entire mangrove area to accentuate their presence at night."
The KPT being a major stakeholder has time and again demonstrated its care towards the city. Back in the nineties, KPT constructed the Jinnah bridge replacing the old Native Jetty bridge at the cost of Rs 1,050 million. Then it contributed to the construction of several bridges over Maripur road and spent money to contribute the priceless land of KPT in the construction of Mai Kolachi road. Lastly, the KPT has constructed West Wharf road.
Presently, its contribution towards the Karachi Package stands at Rs 2.5 billion, which is merely the contract cost and does not include the worth of costly land that has been surrendered by it for widening of roads, he added.
Later, the minister unveiled the plaque to mark the groundbreaking of Chandni park.