11 October 2004	Monday	25 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 10: The city government has planned over 46 traffic improvement schemes for the metropolis. Under the plan, eight underpasses, 13 flyovers, besides overhead steel bridges at 25 important roundabouts on the city roads will be constructed.

City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has directed the officials concerned to take steps for early start of work on these schemes, which would, on completion, help solve the longstanding traffic problem in the city, besides fulfilling its future traffic requirements.

According to details, the city government will construct underpasses at Gharibabad, Lasbella, one each at FTC and Hotel Mehran at Sharea Faisal, Ziauddin Ahmed Road near PIDC, Sibghatullah Shah-Ibrahim Rehmatoola road crossing and Chanesar Halt.

The CDGK has floated tender for early construction of an underpass at Gharibabad, while its designing work has already been completed. The designing of two underpasses at Sharea Faisal has also been completed, and PC-1 has been prepared and presented to the Planning department for approval by the Development Working Party.

The designing work of underpasses at Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Chanesar Halt, FTC, Sibghatullah Shah-Ibrahim Rehmatoola road crossing is in progress. Out of the 13 locations, where flyovers are to be constructed, work on Shah Faisal Colony flyover has been completed, while FTC flyover is nearing its completion, where as an underpass will also be constructed there soon.

Work on Shahrah-i-Quaideen flyover is fast progressing, while planning for flyovers at Karsaz, Hasan Square, Mahmoodabadd, Shah Faisal-Korangi crossing, PIDC and Banaras Chowk has been completed.

Tenders have been floated for construction of flyovers at Karsaz, PIDC and Sohrab Goth, whereas designing work of flyovers at Mahmoodabad, Shah Faisal-Korangi junction and Banaras Chowk is in hand.

Besides these, various major national organizations have assured the city government of financial support for carrying out other development projects in the city. The CDGK is also holding talks with some financial institutions for seeking their cooperation with regard to construction of elevated flyovers.

The Japanese government has also been approached for seeking its support for major development projects in Karachi. The city nazim has also approached the Sindh and federal governments for grants for construction of steel bridges at 25 busy inter-section in the city. The construction of a causeway at Malir River on BOT basis has also been planned.

DESALINATION PLANTS: The Water and Sanitation department of the city government has signed a memorandum of understanding with an American company to install two desalination plants in the city.

The MoU was signed at a ceremony held at a local hotel on Saturday. The EDO, Water and Sanitation, Brig Iftekhar, signed the MoU on behalf of his department, while Samiullah Khan, president of the California Envior Management, signed on behalf of his company.

City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, US Consul General Douglas C Rohn, DCO Mir Hussain Ali, EDO, Investment Promotion, Raisuddin Paracha, and other officials were also present on the occasion.

According to the MoU, the company will install two desalination plants at Karachi coast on BOT basis. The plants will desalinate and supply 50mgd water to the city in line with the World Health Organization standards.

Speaking at the ceremony, the US consul general said that Karachi was faced with water shortage and the company would play an important role to solve the issue by investing in desalination plants. -APP