KARACHI, March 22: The rehabilitation of 4,298 families in Hawkesbay scheme and 2,303 families in Taisar Town under the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project has been completed while development work of another settlement, in Baldia Town, is in progress.

This was stated by Project Director Shafiqur Rehman Paracha in a briefing given to the Chief Minister's Adviser on Special Projects, Mumtaz Hameed, during his visit to Taisar Town on Monday.

At present, two sectors in Taisar Town are being developed, said Mr Paracha, adding that Sector-35, being developed on 181.73 acres, had 2,423 plots and Sector-36, spread over 138 acres would have 3,590 plots.

The project director said that Taisar Town's settlement site would have seven schools, 13 parks, three hospitals and four community centres, besides a commercial area and mosques.

The project director informed the adviser that sewerage and internal water supply system had already been laid and water was being supplied to the area through tankers.

He said all water problems would be solved as soon as the direct line from North East Karachi main was inducted. The bids, invited earlier for the laying of the direct line, would be opened on March 31.

Mr Paracha said that an office would also start functioning soon at the site to help the rehabilitated families get their problems solved. The adviser inquired about playgrounds and stressed on sports activities for the families so that a healthy environment could be provided to them, especially youth.

He directed that a piece of land for cottage industry should also be allocated within the site. He was informed that some 50/60 families were being issued allotment orders every day.

Later, Mr Mumtaz Hameed visited the constructed shops and hawkers' bazaar and spoke to the people present there. He also visited the under-construction school and park and asked the contractor to ensure use of quality material. He appreciated the construction of modern style boundary wall around the park.

The project director requested the adviser that the land available between sectors 35 and 36 be included in the project site in order to make it an even better scheme.

The adviser held out the assurance that he would discuss the matter with Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad. Director Planning Manzar Zahoor, SE Mr Nandlal, Director Land Qazi Khalid and Xen Abdul Aziz Memon were also present at the briefing.

Mr Hameed appreciated the project director and his staff's success in achieving the progress and ensuring quality of work in the massive resettlement project. -APP