KARACHI, July 14: Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkil Kazi has directed the DCO Karachi for timely completion of flyovers being built near the FTC and Shah Faisal Colony.
He was presiding over a meeting of a high-level committee here on Monday. He also expressed his deep concern over the poor sewerage system due to which rain water accumulated and submerged roads and streets in low lying areas.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Ghulam Sarwar Khero, informed the meeting that the provincial government had so far provided funds amounting to Rs131 million for the Shah Faisal Colony flyover which was in addition to the city government’s contribution of Rs83 million.
He said that since the project had almost been completed against a total expenditure of Rs214 million, hence, as per the sharing formula of 50 per cent each, the additional amount provided by the provincial government would be refunded to it.
However, on the request by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan and DCO Mir Hussain Ali, the meeting decided that the remaining would be kept reserved for future expenditure on the maintenance/repair of the flyover.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the work on Lyari Expressway and Northern By-pass projects. The CS referred to the surge in the incidents of vehicles crashing into the side railings of flyovers. He directed the concerned officials to rubberize the side walls of bridges and flyovers in order to protect vehicles from heavy damage and the occupants from serious injuries.
With regard to the two mega projects, the Dr Mutawakkil underscored the need for a perfect sewerage system.
Other projects which came under discussion at the meeting were the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD), Thar Coal Project, Gorakh Development Project, Flood Protection Programme, Revamping of Irrigation, Coastal Development Programme, Extension and Refurbishment of Lal Shahbaz Qalander’s Mazar, Renny Canal and the police projects.
The provincial Secretary, Power and Irrigation, Imtiaz Kazi, presented a report on the RBOD. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the pace of work on the ongoing scheme.
On a report pertaining to the Thar Coal Project, the CS asked the secretary of Mineral Resources and Development to procure a study report from Chinese experts regarding availability of underground water resources for the Thar Power Plant. Dr Mutawakkil said that a clear picture in this regard could help government contemplate some alternative arrangements.
About Gorakh Development Project, he said he had directed the DCO of Dadu to go ahead with the development work.
For the revamping of irrigation project, the meeting agreed that a detailed report was required. About the Coastal Development Programme, the concerned authorities were advised to seek close coordination with ADB and cooperatives department to strengthen fishing industry.
It was also stressed that the concerned departments must ensure that water level in Keenjhar and other lakes was being maintained.
Among others, the meeting was attended by the IGP Syed Kamal Shah, and secretaries Syed Anwar Hyder (Home), Fasihuddin Khan (Auqaf), Gul Mohammad Umrani (Culture) and Malik Israr Hussain (Finance) besides the Director General of Planning and Development, Mohammad Ali Khaskheli and the DCO of Dadu, Ejaz Manghi.—APP
