KARACHI, March 1: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday paid a visit to the city for over six hours during which he reviewed the development schemes, law and order situation and had an appraisal about civic facilities.

Besides the officials, the governor also had direct interaction with the people and appraised himself about the obtaining situation. The governor was accompanied by Home Minister Rauf Siddiqi, DG Rangers Maj Gen Javed Zia, DCO Fazlur Rehman, City Police Chief and senior officials of the city government, water, electricity, gas, telephone and health departments.

Talking on the occasion, the governor said that the people of Karachi would find a great relief upon the completion of the ongoing development schemes and their problems would be solved to a great extent.

He said that such a visit would help in having better coordination and ensure the completion of schemes as per public desires. The governor said there was no shortage of funds and, therefore, more development projects would be started to facilitate the people.

According to him the southern part of the Lyari Expressway will be completed by Sept 2005. At the starting point of the Expressway project, the governor was briefed by Project Director Yusuf Barakzai and Project Director Resettlement Shafiqur Rehman Paracha.

Later the governor visited the areas of Mirza Adam Khan Road, Shershah, Bakra Piri, Dhobhi Ghat besides roads of SITE and adjoining areas and reviewed the sanitary coinditions.

He also inspected the ongoing development work at Gulbai Chowk and issued directives to start construction and repair works of the road connecting Shershah with Gulbai, Shah Waliullah Road and Miran Naka road. In this regard Rs80 million would be additionally provided, the governor said.

Dr Ibad asked the National Highway Authority to arrange for the construction and repair of the sub-way adjoining Mirza Adam Khan Road and Lyari as well as installation of lights.

On the occasion the officials informed the governor that 40 per cent work on the Lyari Expressway had been completed. The governor was also informed about the problems related to the resettlement of those families affected due to the commencement of the project.

Dr Ibad immediately talked to Federal Communication Minister Shamim Siddiqi and asked him to settle all relevant matters concerning the construction of the expressway.

He was informed that the construction work of the expressway in different areas was satisfactory whereas at Sohrab Goth, the work on raising the super structure was going on apace.

The governor was apprised about the construction of a bypass leading to Madinatul Hikmat as an extension of Northern Bypass. He was informed that tender for the same had been issued.

He inspected the construction of bridge at Miran Naka, Shershah and Mirza Adam Khan Road. On the occasion of his visit, the people gathered there in large number and welcomed him on both sides of the road.

During the tour, Home Minister Rauf Siddiqi was himself driving the car and while the governor was meeting the people, it started drizzling. Dr Ibad was presented an umbrella which he returned saying that "we are from among the people and are with them".

He also inspected Zahid Hussain Road and Nagan Chowrangi whose construction, pending for many years, could become possible because of his previous visits to these sites when he had issued directives for modification of traffic management at Nagan Chowrangi and installation of signals so as to check growing accidents.

The people complimented the governor for the construction of the Zahid Hussain Road, but said that they were not fully benefiting from it because of problems caused by the signals. - APP