KARACHI, Nov 28: The implementation of the city’s roads beautification programme through greenery by the city government, in cooperation with all the 18 towns, has begun.

Karachi DCO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha is monitoring the implementation of this programme and the work being done through review visits of the specified roads daily at 8.30am with officials concerned.

On Wednesday, the DCO visited I.I. Chundrigar Road, M.A. Jinnah Road and University Road. On I.I. Chundrigar Road, he visited the triangle park at the Merewether Tower, developed by the parks department of the city government. He appreciated the growth of greenery and flowering pattern. On his directive, the grills have been painted and benches installed for the visitors.

The district officer for parks told him that this place was filled with garbage, which was removed through 25 truckloads.

Mr Paracha issued a directive for the removal of encroachments hindering the traffic flow. He also ordered that damaged roads and footpaths be repaired so that the area around the Tower looked beautiful. He said the area be kept lighted so that the park, which has been adopted by the Karachi Stock Exchange, was maintained in keeping with its cultural and historic position.

During his visit to M.A. Jinnah Road, the DCO ordered that its footpaths be repaired and street lights installed at points where they were missing and encroachments causing hindrance to traffic flow be removed. It was also decided that the overhead bridges would be repaired and painted, and their regular maintenance ensured.

On University Road, the DCO took notice of stray animals around the old Sabzimandi. He directed the land department to see that those animals were removed and no longer posed a threat to the moving traffic. In this regard action be taken against their owners.

Mr Paracha appreciated the laying of a sewerage line on University Road for meeting water requirements for the development of greenery. He called for the use of sewage at other places also with laying of such lines.

He also issued a directive for the development of a triangle park opposite Arambagh and said a green spot would bring beauty to the area.

The DCO said such minor efforts could help a lot in making the city beautiful and green.—APP