February 21, 2002	Thursday	Zilhaj 8, 1422

KARACHI, Feb 20: The City Government has extended the opening date of tenders for the construction of FTC and Shahrah-i-Quaideen flyovers for ten more days from Feb 28.

The number of contractors having shown interest in the FTC flyover is 12 and that of the Shahrah-i-Quaideen flyover is 16. This information was given to Sindh Governor Muhammedmian Soomro at a meeting presided over by him before his departure to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The governor was given a presentation on major infrastructure projects of the City Government, including the Shah Faisal flyover, upgradation and improvement of Mauripur Road from the PAF junction to Grex village, preparing joints of 24-inch pre-stressed RCC water line from gate No 1 to Grex along Mauripur Road, improvement of Mauripur Road from Grex to the Cynamid factory, upgradation and improvement of Shahrah-i-Mehran from U89 to Cattle Colony, improvement of Korangi Road from Kala Pul to Korangi Crossing etc.

On the history of the FTC flyover project, he was told that tenders were first invited and opened on Feb 15, 1996. The Mehran construction company was awarded work for its lowest bid in May 1996. It started work and was paid Rs970,000. Since the design of the flyover did not fulfil the requirement of the present flow of traffic, previous work order was cancelled and tenders on a turnkey basis were reinvited.

The tenders were opened on Aug 6, 2001 in favour of the Usmani Associates for Rs89.50 million. The project was inaugurated by the President in August 2001.

The previous contractor went into litigation and obtained judgment of Sindh High Court asking for reinviting tenders. Accordingly, tenders from prequalified contractors were called on Jan 10 this year. A pre-bid meeting was also held with contractors on Feb 11 and tenders were to be opened on Feb 28, but the date has been extended by ten days.

The FTC flyover was needed as an average daily traffic at the intersection was 202,198 vehicles. The project consists of construction of semi-cloverleaf flyover on the Sharea Faisal and Korangi Road intersection with descending leg towards Saddar and channelization of approach roads. As regards the proposed Shahrah-i-Quaideen flyover, it was stated that 144,548 vehicles passed through this intersection in 16 hours. It was proposed that the traffic signals at Sindhi Muslim Society and Shahrah-i-Quaideen intersections be removed.

Mr Soomro directed the City Government and other authorities to ensure that the development projects were completed within the specified period.

He also stressed maintaining standard of the work and directed that cases under criminal charges be registered against those involved in using substandard material in these gigantic projects.

He was told that five per cent work of the Sharea Faisal flyover had been completed. The President had performed the ground-breaking ceremony of this project, costing Rs263.6 million, on Aug 14, 2001. The project is to be completed in two years. The Sindh government has to provide 5