KARACHI: Plan to operate mono train chalked out, says Nazim
KARACHI, April 12: A comprehensive scheme to operate a mono train service between New Sabzimandi, on Super Highway, and Tower under the Karachi Mass Transit Programme has been prepared by the city government.
Different companies based in the United States, China and other countries have expressed their interest in investing in the project. The project area is spread over a 17 kms long corridor.
This information was given by City Nazim Niamatullah Khan to a 23-member delegation of naib nazims from Swabi, NWFP, which called on him here on Monday. The delegation is in Karachi on a study tour.
The city nazim pointed out that a flow of foreign investment in the city's projects related to the mass transit and transport sectors. However, he regretted, the western media was indulged in distorting Karachi's image by unleashing a propaganda to make the investors believe that it was a city of terrorists.
Karachi is the economically hub of the country and contributes 70 per cent of its revenues to the national exchequer, he said, adding that the government was endeavouring to properly develop the metropolis.
"The federal government has initiated mega projects, like K-3 water project, Lyari Expressway and Northern Bypass, which could not be completed with out its financial assistance," he told the delegation.
He observed that people from all provinces resided in Karachi and the local government faced a lot of problems due to inadequate resources. With regard to development and beautification of the city, the nazim made mention of date palm tress being planted in different areas, water treatment plants meant for gardening and induction of environment-friendly buses for the comfort of commuters.
INAUGURATION: City Nazim Niamatullah Khan inaugurated four development projects being executed with a cost of Rs9.8 million in Gulberg Town. Among them, improvement of Shahrah-i-Azimullah Shahid will cost Rs2.3 million, whereas that of road and sewerage system in Shaheen Colony's Block 22, will cost Rs2.2 million.
Besides spending Rs2 million on a road project in Shafique Mill Colony, Rs3.3 million will be spent on the installation of street lights along Shahrah-i-Waliullah. Speaking at a gathering in Shaheen Colony, Sohrab Goth, the city nazim said that ownership rights would be given to the residents of the area once the devolution of Sindh Kutchi Abadi Authority to the CDGK was done.
He also held out the assurance that all basic facilities, including water, power and health care, would be ensured for the people of the area. He pledged that the upgrading of the primary school to middle class, as demanded by the local people, would be sorted out in the next budget.
At another inauguration ceremony, in Shafiq Mill Colony, the nazim said that construction work of Shahrah-i-Quaideen and FTC flyovers was in full swing whereas the work on Sohrab Goth and Hasan Square flyovers would start in the next fiscal.
Referring to the uplift of roundabouts at Guru Mandir, Old Exhibition, Nagan Chowrangi, Five-Star, etc., he said that renovation and installation of signals at these sites had not only streamlined the traffic system there but also benefited commuters in terms of conservation of fuel and time.
Referring to the statements issued by certain quarters, he challenged them to have a media dialogue with the CDGK to let the people judge that who had in fact developed the city and who had turned it into ruins. He told people that development and construction work on 20 roads in the city would be launched during the next 18 months. - PPI
