KARACHI: Ibad orders action against guilty - Flyover damage
KARACHI, Sept 9: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has called for speedy but quality repair of Liaquatabad flyover and emphasized the need for proper inspection and maintenance of major roads, bridges and under-passes throughout the city.
He directed that action under the relevant rules and regulations be taken against those who, through the inquiry into the matter, were found responsible for the damage caused to the Liaquatabad flyover.
The governor was chairing a high-level meeting at the Governor's House here on Thursday which reviewed the matters concerning repair and construction of roads and flyovers, as well as the overall traffic system.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Adviser to the Chief Minister Mumtaz Hameed, Acting Chief Secretary Ghulam Sarwar Khero, Principal Secretary to the Governor Brig (r) Akhtar Zamin, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, DCO Mir Hussain Ali and CCPO Karachi.
EDO Works Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui briefed the meeting about causes of damage to the flyover and the repair work, besides condition of pedestrian bridges in the city. Dr Ibad directed the officials that those assigned the task of inspection, repair and maintenance of these facilities be kept on all time alert.
Mr Siddiqui told the meeting that the repair work of Liaquatabad flyover had been started on Wednesday and expected to be completed in three weeks. He maintained that the concerned inspection team had timely detected the damage following which the affected section of the damaged portion had been closed to traffic.
The governor called for an immediate inspection of the entire flyover. Mr Siddiqui Informing the meeting that the pedestrian bridges at Malir Kala Board, Nazimabad No 7, Nazimabad Chowrangi, M. A. Jinnah Road, Empress Market, Nishtar Road and Landhi had sustained damage and four of them had already been repaired. A few other bridges were undergoing repair, he said, adding that all other bridges were in good condition.
Dr Ibad directed that all new bridges must have ramps so that elderly people and womenfolk did not face problem in using the facility. The existing ones, he added, be also made easily usable for such people.
The governor also issued directives for an improvement in three of the existing under-passes in the city. The meeting reviewed progress in the process of shifting inter-city bus termini to the outskirts of the city.
He was informed that the first such terminal, being set up at SITE, would start functioning on September 24. This facility is meant for the buses entering and departing the city via the RCD Highway.
The Governor directed the concerned officials to follow the schedule in the case of other such termini. He told the participants of the meeting that implementation of re-routing programme as per the laid down timeframe be ensured so that traffic congestion mainly involving buses at Empress Market be contained. A smooth flow of traffic across the city be also ensured, he added. -APP
