Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal on Saturday announced an over Rs 2.50 billion development package for Karachi. He also announced to make the road from Metropole Hotel to Airport, from Nazimabad flyover to Sharea Faisal, University Road and from Surjani Town to Tower totally signal free.
The announcements came from him at a crowded press conference held at Civic Center. DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman and other officials of City Government were also present on the occasion.
"We are building up a Karachi of the future", City Nazim said and added that when Haq Parast leadership took over the office of City Nazim it decided that instead of involving itself into the past and criticising anyone, carry out better planning and prepare such project which may prove beneficial for decades.
He pointed out that while preparing development plans, care has been taken that no technical flaw is left like the projects of the past so that no problems are created for people.
In this regard, he informed, attention has been paid on preparing schemes with the consultation and services of professionals belonging to various fields so that city's real and future requirements could be met.
"We are determined that instead of making claims and boasts, we will lead Karachi towards the goal of development where the people of would find their living standard much better than previously and have the realisation of living in an international and mega city.
Mustafa Kamal said that within a brief period of just one and a half-month and after passing through a long exercise, the projects that have been prepared will need not artificial publicity to show their existence, but our work will show our commitment.
He said he feel delighted in announcing a big package amounting to Rs 2.589 billion for the city after one and half month day and night efforts and work on it will start during the current financial year.
He told the journalists that these projects have been given final approval, funds are available and projects are being advertised in newspapers.
Nazim Mustafa Kamal said these projects were either lying in abeyance for several years or were not considered at all.
"From today new developmental activities are commencing in the city and instead of providing temporary solutions, we are going to build up Karachi of future".
He said the projects that would be taken in hand under the package will include:
(1) construction of drain from Islam Nagar to Town Municipal Administration Office, Orangi Town Rs 16.77 million, (2) construction of drain from Orangi No 13 Sadiqabad to Gulzar Mohammedi Colony Rs 26.06 million, (3) construction of drain from Orangi No 16 Mianwali Colony Rs 27.51 million, (4) construction of bridge over PAF Base Sharea Faisal, (5) construction of signal free inter-section from Mahmoodabad/Chanesar Halt Shahrah Faisal Rs 299.44 million, (6) construction of underpass at Ibne Sina Road below Nazimabad bridge Rs 329.5 million, (7) underpass at Ibne Sina road below Liaquatabad bridge Rs 329.5 million, (8) construction of bridge at Tipu Sultan, Sharea Faisal Rs 156.43 million, (9) reconstruction and development of chowrangi at Shahrah-e-Ghalib Keamari to Bilawal Rs 302 million, (10) purchase of garbage lifting machinery Rs 600 million, (11) construction of road from Tin Hatti Inter-section to Shaheed-e-Millat Road Rs 126.72 million and (12)) expansion of Korangi Road bridge at Mahmoodabad Nullah.Mustafa Kamal said many projects were lying in the pipeline only because their designing was not being given approved and he has taken an immediate decision about such projects also in the interest of city and work on them, too, will start during the current financial year. He said he has issued directives for removal of bottlenecks in their way.
He pointed out that work on Karsaz flyover was laying pending because a part of the bridge was to cover the land of water and sewerage board and the matter was not being resolved. He said, in the city's interest, he has directed KWSB to surrender this land.
He informed that a flyover is to be constructed at the junction of Stadium and Karsaz Roads. It is too an important project which was suffering from pendency due to non-availability of land.
Nazim Karachi told the journalists that on one side there is private land and on the other, it is Cricket Board's land, He said it has been decided to acquire this land from the Board and hoped the Board will accede to it in the public interest. He said the Board has been contacted and work will start soon.
Regarding Ghaniabad underpass, Mustafa Kamal said its foundation stone was laid down without any planning. He said now there will be no need for a bridge for traffic from Azizabad to Liaquatabad No 10 which was envisaged for the second phase of the design.
The Nazim said that now under best management, the traffic coming to Gharibabad will be diverted from Karimabad to Liaquatabad which would reduce the cost and also see early completion.
The design envisaged the construction of bridge on the side of Sir Shah Suleman Road to Stadium Road besides construction of an underpass to connect both ends of University Road.
He informed that City Government has modified the design and now land will be acquired from Expo centre.
Nazim said work for making Sharah-e-Faisal signal free from Metropole to Airport has commenced.
He informed that a bridge is being constructed to connect Air Force Base and Colony while work.
Nazim Mustafa Kamal told the journalists that throughout the world, there are separate tracks for motorcycles and he has directed the Works and Services department to carry out a survey in this regard.
Mustafa Kamal informed that consultant has been hired to carry out survey to undo the internal accesses of University Road from Hasan Square to NIPA Chowrangi.
In order to reduce growing traffic pressure, the construction of overhead passage from Surjani Town to Tower with access from Surjani to Nagan Chowrangi, Sakhi Hasan, Nazimabad, Lasbella, Guru Mandar to Tower is under consideration.
Nazim Karachi said that University Road is being reconstructed while Shaheed-e-Millat Road has already been constructed on modern lines. He said now the project for construction of road from Jail Chowrangi to Tin Hatti is also being undertaken.
He informed that in order to facilitate the padestrians crossing university road, two bridges will be constructed in front of main gates of NED and Karachi University.
He told the journalists that a transfer station will be constructed for dumping of 1,000 tons of garbage at Mewa Shah.