A Japanese firm has shown interest in the construction of elevated roads over Sharea Faisal, M.A. Jinnah Road and Malir Bund Road on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.
This interest was shown at a meeting between a delegation of private Japanese company M/s Hamza Corporation, led by its senior executive Shigeaki Okouchi (currently based in Yangoon, Myanmar) and EDO, Enterprise and Investment Promotion (E&IP) Raeesuddin Paracha here on Saturday. Okouchi said that his company, which worked as a contractor in the construction of Kohat tunnel in the NWFP with Japanese assistance, was willing to take infrastructure development projects, especially water and sewerage system in Karachi.
He pointed out that Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JABIC) would finance these projects. Paracha informed the visiting team about the details of three-proposed elevated road projects of City District Government Karachi (CDGK) to overcome traffic congestion and ensure smooth flow of traffic in the metropolis.
The Japanese delegation was also briefed about 10 infrastructure development projects, including mass transit, desalination plant, affluent treatment plant and expansion of water and sewerage system in the city.
He said that 20-kilometer elevated road from Metropole Hotel to Quaidabad over Sharea Faisal would be the expressway enabling motorist to reach Quaidabad within 15 minutes by paying a toll of Rs 20 to 25. Similarly, he informed about five-kilometer elevated road over M.A. Jinnah Road from the Mazar-e-Quaid to Merewhether Tower and Malir Bund road along with the Malir River embankment.
Okouchi said that his team will assess potentials of these projects and a much bigger delegation of his company will come to Pakistan after two weeks for detailed discussions with CDGK authorities.
He indicated keen interest in the construction of quality water and sewerage system in the metropolis and added that JABIC financing will be available for this project.
Okouchi said that his company undertakes prestigious projects around the world assuring Japanese quality. "We want to give a quality water and sewerage system to Karachi," he noted.
He said: "Pakistani people are hard working and friendly. I have brought a message of love and friendship for Pakistani people from Japan."