Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday said that the Malir Expressway would be launched under public-private partnership on a design, build, operate, maintain and transfer basis to connect the motorway with the city centre. Presiding over a meeting of public-private partnership policy board, he said, Karachi is the most important city in terms of industrial areas, ports and population; therefore, it needs major expressway and roads.
"Karachi accommodates people from all over the country by providing jobs, business opportunities and housing facilities, but the population has now reportedly reached sixteen million," he said, adding that the phenomenal population growth and increase in vehicular traffic resulted in congestion and traffic jams on major roads, while commuters face inconvenience, hazards, wastage of time and fuel, accidents and pollution. Hence, he said, Sindh government has decided to develop the shortest alternate route to connect the motorway with the city centre. It would be 38 kilometres, four-lane dual expressway along Malir River starting from Hino Chowk till Super Highway (M-9) near Kathore.
Murad shah said that the main objective of the project is to construct a strategic expressway required to mitigate the increased traffic due to increased economic activities in north Karachi and hence would be an asset for the city. He said that the expressway would serve as the southern alternative route for carrying traffic of the port and industrial areas to the main highways. The board approved the project and directed PPP unit to start the process for inviting expression of interest in the project.
Another project discussed at the meeting was Karachi Theme and Safari Park project. The chief minister was told that the KMC has received an unsolicited proposal for the development of the project at the Safari Park that would be started on BOT basis and a state-of-the-art theme park would include 25 rides and attractions, family entertainment centre, food court and additional family rides, including trampoline, kids area and 3D rides. There would also be a business centre with souvenir and other shops. The Safari park would have a pet farm auditorium in which families can enter and spend quality time and much-needed exposure for kids with animals. There would also be a splash zone, spectacular safari ride and additional 78 animals would be added along with the exiting animals in an open environment. The visitors of the Safari Park would get a lifetime experience of safari ride and can observe the animals in their natural habitat.
The policy board decided to send the project to the Local Government for technical committee evaluation. Sindh Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro presented the Rani Bagh, Hyderabad, project calling for restructuring, upgrading and redesigning of the iconic park by turning it into a modern recreational facility which would beautify the city landscape and provide residents with clean environment and contemporary entertainment place. He said the existing zoo spreads over an area of around seven acres and various animals and bird species are available there, but the condition of the zoo and other facilities do not make it a preferred tourist spot. Therefore, he said the department planned to redesign and restructure the facility by introducing gardens, promenades, zoo, recreational areas, open theatre cinema, food outlets and play area for children.
CM Sindh directed the local government department to send the project to the technical committee of the PPP Unit for assessment and discuss the matter in the next policy board meeting.