KARACHI: 1,850 houses demolished for LEW so far: minister
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Feb 28: The Sindh Assembly was on Friday informed that only 1,850 houses, out of a total of 14,811, had been demolished to clear the land designated for the construction of Lyari Expressway.
Mohammad Hussain, Minister for Local Government, provided this information in response to a question raised by Muhammad Rafique advocate.
He further told the House that sectors 9 and 10, in the Hawkesbay Scheme, having 3,300 residential plots had been earmarked for those affected by the project. All civic amenities were being made available at these sectors, he said.
He pointed out that the 1,850 affected families had been allotted an 80-square-yard plot and Rs50,000 cash each as compensation.
Replying to another question, the minister said it was learnt from the City District Government that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had started construction work for a market at Bizenjo Chowk, Chakiwara, in 1991. The project, he added, was abandoned in 1993 and not revived till date due to a variety of reasons.
Mr Hussain said that the Lyari Town administration had recently raised the issue with the city government with request to revive this multipurpose project. He said that the provincial government would support the idea to ensure that resources already invested were not wasted.
To another question, the minister said that a dispensary, run by a male doctor and complementary staff, was functional at Meeran Naka. He said that the city government was being directed separately to make the maternity home functional by providing requisite equipment and staff.
Responding to a question, he said that Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road, Tannery Road and Chakiwara Road were dug up for the laying of water and sewerage lines under the Khushal Pakistan Programme, Phase-III. He said that the roads were left out in a dilapidated condition after completion of works. The DCO, he added, had already tendered the repair work which would be completed soon.
He was asked whether the UC status for Taib and Lashari areas was withdrawn in 2000 by the local government on administrative grounds. The minister replied in affirmative. The question was raised by Muhammad Ayaz Soomro of PPP.
Mr Hussain, replying to the question by Hafiz Muhammad Naeem, explained that the shortage of drinking water in Baldia Town was due to the depleting Hub source.
He said efforts were under way to complete Bulk Water Project during 2005 after which Baldia and other areas would again be supplied water from the Indus source.
