KARACHI, Aug 2 : Governor Sindh Muhammedmian Soomro on Friday inaugurated the remodelling, extension and improvement of Clifton Marine Drive, which is actually a continuation of stone sea-wall and the roads with arena lights in city limits similar to what has been built by the DHA at Sea View.

The governor said that the program had been initiated by PERK and people belonging to all walks of life and those coming from all over the country would enjoy the place after its completion. He said we needed to develop project|s which were self-generating for a long-term sustainability.

Responding to the request from the city Nazim Naimatullah regarding imposition of sea cess by the city government on all imports, the governor said that the issue had multiple dimensions and, apart from the approval of the centre, the consent of the provinces was also required.

Speaking on the occasion, city Nazim Naimatullah Khan, highlighted various development projects initiated by the city government and reiterated his pledge that all the 18 towns in Karachi would be provided development opportunities without any discrimination. He said that all emphasis would be laid to ensure that maximum development funds were utilised, whereas new projects were also being introduced.

The project cost is Rs158.28 million. A 3-km road from the Marine Drive (Sindbad ) to Sharae-Saadi will be built along with a stone sea-wall. Twenty-two arena lights will also be installed there.

The project will be completed in two phases which includes link-roads connecting DHA roads to the service sea-wall, redesigning of roundabouts at the intersections of Sharae Attar and Shahrae Saadi and rehabilitation of the existing storm-water drains. The project is being funded by the KPP through the DHA that will get the job done through FWO .

DCO Karachi Shafiq ur Rehman Paracha also spoke on the occasion. Among those present on the occasion were Brig Ghazali , administrator DHA Brig Shabbir, commander engineering group FWO , town and UC Nazism and EDOs of the city government.

KPP projects: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro has said that of the 192 schemes that had been launched in Karachi (costing around Rs 1 billion), 88 have been completed.

He said this at the inaugural ceremony of a Frontier Works Organization (FWO) project at Mughal Garden, Bilawal Chowrangi in Clifton on Friday. The governor expressed his pleasure at the extension and beautification of the Marine Drive, along with the beautification of the seashore at Clifton, under the Khushhal Pakistan Program (KPP).

According to the governor, the government wants to develop the city’s seashore at par with international standards, and the Marine Drive project — with an estimated cost of Rs 85 million — is part of it.

Highlighting other projects to provide improved facilities to citizens, he cited the examples of the 100 million-gallon water supply scheme K3, the Lyari Expressway and the Northern Bypass, on which initial work had already commenced.

Under the KPP, five transportation related projects with, an estimated cost of Rs 200 million, are being started, which include improvements of roundabouts and the installation of traffic signals at Guru Mandir, Banaras Chowk, Nagan Chowrangi and the widening of roads from the Empress Market to Mazar-i-Quaid.—PPI