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KARACHI, May 20: An aerial survey of the city was conducted by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan on Tuesday during which he monitored major development projects, including Lyari Expressway, Northern Bypass, Hawkesbay Scheme, Coastal Belt and Mass Transit Programme.
Director General of Mass Transit Programme Malik Zaheerul Islam accompanied the city Nazim.
Mr Khan reviewed problems that were emerging in initiating some important projects.
He noticed that in Shireen Jinnah Colony, oil tankers were parked outside the plots allotted by KPT and observed that the area and people were prone to the threat of fire and other such mishaps. He suggested that the tankers should be parked at predetermined spots. He said that KPT authorities would be approached in this regard.
During inspection of Northern Bypass site, Mr Khan observed that due to the Dedicated Line, from Gul Bai to Paracha Chowk, local traffic would be hindered. He reviewed apprehensions of the city government experts in this regard.
The Nazim was told by the concerned officials that Karachi Circular Railway was to be revived and that a report had been sent to the National Highway Authority with apprehensions of the city government about the project.
Naimatullah Khan surveyed the 57km track of Northern Bypass and directed that the land on both sides of the track from National Highway to Baldia Town be developed and divided in zones. He said a notification would soon be issued in this regard. He also reviewed the fly-over projects included in the Northern Bypass.
After inspecting Lyari Expressway project, the Nazim expressed his concern over encroachment along the Lyari river bed and marked that at some locations, people had almost closed the river creating numerous problems. “The residents here are also living a hard life,” he observed.
He surveyed the 100km Mass Transit track stretched across Sohrab Goth, Sharea Pakistan, S. M. Taufiq Road, Jehangir Road, M. A. Jinnah Road, Orangi, Manghopir Road, Saddar and Cantonment areas.
The Nazim said that the projects were of national importance, completion of which would give a boost to economic activities in the metropolis. He warned that no obstacle in the completion of these projects would be tolerated and hoped that all related problems would be resolved gradually.
BUILDERS: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has constituted a high level committee for the redressal of public complaints against builders.
The committee would comprise two members each from the city government and the Association of Builders And Developers (ABAD) and one each from Water Board, KBCA, LDA and MDA.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting between the Nazim and a delegation of ABAD on Tuesday.
Mr Khan told the delegation that the city government would redress the grievances of builders who would, at the same time, have to safeguard the rights of people.
He said that a policy would soon be announced to ensure protection to the rights of both builders and the people. He remarked that the city government would not allow the metropolis to become a jungle of buildings. He said all the construction would have to be carried out in accordance with the master plan.
The Chairman of ABAD, Hafizur Rehman, told the Nazim that construction work in Karachi had been abandoned for the last four years due to which 72 departments relating to construction field had been facing a crisis. He claimed that the city’s annual requirement was 700,000 residential units but the private and public sectors together could provide half the number.
The delegation apprised the Nazim of their problems.—PPI
