KARACHI, Jan 27: Acting City Nazim Tariq Hasan on Thursday expressed his anguish over the delay in the construction of the Korangi Bara Hazar Road and directed EDO (works and services) Sarfaraz Ali Shah to cancel the contract if the contractor failed to maintain the pace of work.

He said that in case of the current slow pace of work was resorted to, the works department should re-invite tenders and recover the extra money spent on the construction work from the previous contractor.

During his inspection of the road on Thursday, he directed the concerned officials to ensure timely completion of the project and start day and night shifts for the purpose.

Mr Shah assured the acting nazim that the schedule of work on this project would be followed. He said that the work on Korangi Crossing-Korangi 2-1/2 section of the road would be completed by the end of February whereas the remaining work would also be completed as per the schedule.

He also apprised the acting nazim of the difficulties and problems that were hampering the work. In this regard, he made mention of encroachments, electricity and gas installations and alternative traffic routes.

Mr Hasan asked the EDO to convene a meeting of the concerned departments on February 2/3 to discuss the problems, and said that City Nazim Niamatullah Khan could be able to attend the meeting.

It is pertinent to mention that the said road is being constructed under the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme at a cost of Rs435 million. The 13.5-km road from Korangi Crossing to Dawood Chowrangi, Landhi, is a double-track artery and nearly four kilometres of the road has been built so far. The construction work was started on August 28 last year and supposed to be completed by February 28 this year. -PPI