KARACHI, March 14: Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammed Mahar, on Sunday, discussed the development projects of Sindh at a meeting held in connection with the National Economic Council session, which would be held in Islamabad on Monday.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting at Chief Minister House. Sindh Minister for Planing and Development Shoaib Bukhari, Chief Secretary Mutawakal Kazi, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Ghulam Sarwar, Secretary Finance Israr Shaikh, DCO Hussain Ali, Lyari Expressway project director and principal secretary to the chief minister attended the meeting.

The chief minister said that the provincial government with co-operation of federal government had got approved several projects for Sindh. He said that these projects would improve the economy of province and bring prosperity.

He said that Lyari Expressway, Northern Bypass and K-III (100mgd water supply) projects were underway in Karachi that would benefit the masses on large extent.

Ali Mahar said that the renovation of irrigation and drainage system, strengthening of branches, watercourses and minors, and the project regarding comprehensive usage of Thar Coal mining resources for power generation would be discussed at the National Economy Council session in Islamabad.

Besides, the provision of funds for Cadet College Ghotki, reduction of water losses and other schemes were on the agenda of the meeting. The meeting was informed that the Lyari Expressway would cost Rs2,871.652 million and it would be completed by January 2005.

In the first phase of the project, some 13,843 residents would be given substitute 80 yard plots and Rs50,000. As many as 40 per cent of the people had been given plots while 16km out of 32.1km had been cleaned, levelled and tracks were constructed.

It was stated that the K-III project, which would cost Rs6,103 million, would be completed by December 2005. The improvement of irrigation and drainage system would cost Rs12,963 million out of which Rs542 million would be provided by the Federal Economic Council. The irrigation project would be completed by 2007-2008.

The meeting was further informed that the strengthening of canals, water courses and minors would require Rs12,445 million for its completion by 2005-2006 while Rs198 million would be required for Thar Coal Mining Study project.

The chief minister urged the authorities concerned to accelerate the ongoing projects and complete them in time. Following the meeting, the chief minister left for Islamabad where he would attend the National Economy Council session. -PPI