January 18, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 17, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 17: The city government on Tuesday started work on a recreational park covering 400 acres between two beautiful hills near the Thado Dam in Gadap Town, some 30 km from the city.

The City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, inaugurated work on the project by planting a sapling. The first phase of the project is to be completed at a cost of Rs20 million.

The city nazim, on the occasion, directed that a site office of the city government should be constructed on priority basis, and all meetings regarding development works in the area should be held there.

He said the park would be an ideal recreational spot for Karachiites, and cooperation from the private sector would also be sought for it.

He said the park’s development would create economic activities in Gadap.

He said Karachiites badly needed a recreational place not only out of the city but also near it, and this area was best suited for the purpose.

The city nazim ordered the concerned officials to start construction of metalled roads in the area, so people can easily come there besides benefiting nearby localities.

In a briefing to the city nazim on the project, he was told that 55,500 trees were being planted in the area, while a garden and beds of flowers would be developed over an area of one acre. This area would also have benches for visitors. A 1,500-ft canal would also be developed, in which swimming and boating facilities be provided for children.

Moreover, a chairlift would be installed to link both banks of the Thado Dam. The park would have a 15,000 sq-ft parking areas, sunshades, bathrooms and other facilities for visitors.

BOOK FAIR: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal urged philanthropists and the general public to promote book fairs in order to enhance book reading habit, as well as, literacy.

Talking to students at a book fair arranged by the APMSO at the NED University of Engineering and Technology, he said that at such fairs students could get books at cheaper rates.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kamal announced a financial help of Rs0.5 million.

He said that the city government was not only raising the number of books in its public libraries, but also providing congenial atmosphere there to the readers.

The nazim said that a committee had already been formed to formulate policies for raising the standards of education and the city government would implement them.—PPI