KARACHI, Dec 16: The attainment of right of way for under-construction Lyari Expressway and rehabilitation of affectees and other related matters came under review at a high-level meeting held
under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Secretary Mohammed Aslam Sanjrani.
The meeting was informed that the first phase of rehabilitation of people at Hawkesbay was now nearing completion. The phase had begun about 18 months back. At present work on the second phase at Taiser Town is progressing fast, and, so far, over 5,500 families have been allotted plots of 80 square yards each free of cost, besides payment of cash compensation of Rs 50,000 had been made to them.
The Hawkesbay rehabilitation site has a total of 4,909 plots, out of which allotments have been issued to 4,555 families. The areas where families have been given plots and cheques are Sohrab Goth, Gulberg Town, Abbas Town, Bakar Goth, Abdullah Palari Goth, Quaid-i-Azam Colony, Limoon Goth, Rajput Colony, Sungar Nullah, Rashid Minhas bridge, PIB Colony, Nishtar Basti, Old Sabzi Mandi, Gulshan to Yasinabad, Gharibabad to Sabzi Mandi, Haji Murid Goth, Gharib Nawaz Colony, Old Golimar, Jan Mohammed Village, Central Muslimabad, Angara Goth and Sir Shah Suleman Road.
The meeting was informed that so far 3,000 families have completed the construction of their houses while 2,400 families have shifted to their newly constructed houses and had been living a normal life there.
It was informed that hawkers and shopping centres have been set up for providing employment opportunities to local population and economic activities there are growing fast.
It was further informed that markets have also been set up for supply of all kinds of building material at a reduced rate. The meeting was informed that special attention was being given to imparting education to children of shiftees in Taisar Town where at present two government schools are functioning with an enrolment of about 1,000 children who are provided uniform and text-books free of cost from the rehabiliation project.
Local educated girls have also been appointed as teachers and they are paid monthly honoraria from the project. It was stated that with the collaboration of rehabilitation project and Pakistan Baitul Maal, an education and technical centre had also been established at the rehabilitation site with an enrolment of 60 girls who are not only imparted free education, but are also paid Rs 10 as daily pocket money besides Rs 300 paid to their parents.
It was informed that the rehabilitation project had involved the city's reputed welfare organizations, along with the education department, to provide opportunities of better education to children of the shiftees.
In this regard, the office-bearers of the Citizens Foundation have visited the project several times and have decided to construct three schools initially and work on them is progressing fast.
The meeting was briefed about provision of health and medical facilities and informed that besides a government dispensary, another dispensary is being run by the Alamgir Welfare trust.
The meeting was briefed about the arrangements made for water supply and informed that 80,000 gallons of water is being supplied to the people of the Basti free with the cooperation of Pakistan Rangers through community tanks.
It was stated that to ensure regular supply of water, 50 per cent work had been completed on the laying of water pipeline from North Karachi Filter plant while the remaining work would be completed in the next two months.
The meeting was informed that facility of transport had also been made available, with the operation of D-4, D-17, D-10 route coaches, besides green and blue buses.
The chief secretary pointed out that this town is closer to the Northern Bypass, New Sabzi Mandi and Gulshan-i-Maymar as a result this area has a bright future. He said to overcome initial difficulties, the economic activities should be started in a way that it could help generate employment for local population.
He appreciated the role of the rangers in water supply to the newly-rehabilitated towns and said work on laying of regular pipelines be geared up. He said that quantity of water released to the Hawksbay Town be further increased to lessen dependence on tankers.
The meeting was informed that the third phase of rehabilitation of the shiftees of Lyari Expressway would start soon at Baldia Town and ongoing development works at this site would be completed in the next two months.
The chief secretary asked the DCO and EDO Revenue to ensure speedy conduct of survey in areas where it is still incomplete so as to ensure early attainment of right of way and soft opening of the completed portion of Lyari Expressway, like that of Northern Bypass.
The CS asked the officials to ensure disbursement of compensation to surveyed affectees of the LEW within 24 hours. Mr Sanjrani said he would review the pace of work by personaly driving on the right of way every week, while fortnightly meetings with water, gas, electricity, education, health and other concerned departments would be held every fortnightly so that the shifting of population is completed.
It was attended by LEW Project Director Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman, EDO Revenue M. Waseem, NHA Project Director M. Yousuf Barakzai and TPOs of Gadap, Gulberg, Liaquatabad and Keamari towns. -APP
