KARACHI, Aug 30: Lt-Gen Azhar Hayat, the Corps Commander-V, who is also President DHA executive board has emphasized the need for taking proper stock of post-rains situation in DHAPresiding over a meeting of the Defence Housing Society executive board on Wednesday at the Defence Housing Authority's main office, he asked the DHA to develop a comprehensive plan for redesigning and redoing sewerage and storm-water drainage system futuristically to solve the problem on permanent rather than piecemeal basis.
He also ordered immediate repair of all roads in DHA damaged due to rains. He emphasized that a comprehensive action under a well-planned strategy be initiated to ensure that the infrastructural system flaws and deficiencies were effectively addressed. He asked the DHA and the CCB to ensure proper co-ordination with the city government, while planning their sewerage and drainage systems.
The executive board directed the DHA to take proactive steps for improvement of security environment in DHA by augmenting the efforts of police through enhanced patrolling and monitoring by DHA vigilance of the area. The board was also informed that 25 modern electronic cameras were being installed at various vital locations in the DHA, including commercial areas for the monitoring purpose.The board expressed its dissatisfaction over the work of garbage and debris removal by the CBC contractors in the DHA.
The president executive board emphasized the need for capacity building of the CBC and asked the DHA Vigilance to constantly monitor the sanitation and cleanliness situation in the DHA and keep the management informed of lapses of ensuring remedial actions.
The Corps Commander impressed upon DHA to expedite its efforts for bringing its ongoing mega projects to an advanced stage of completion. He said that these projects would help the DHA to meet the changing requirements of the future.
The executive board asked the DHA to bring suitable changes in construction bylaws to make them more realistic and user-friendly.
The crops commander paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain for his momentous contribution for the betterment of DHA during his three-year tenure.
Later, Brig Kamran Aziz Qazi, the new Administrator of DHA, took oath as member executive board. The new administration would take charge of his office from Sept 1.
Meanwhile, the ground-breaking ceremony of the 20-inch, 14-km-long pipeline for the supply of gas to the power generation and desalination plant located in Defence Housing Authority, Phase VIII was performed on Wednesday by Munawar Baseer Ahmad, Managing Director, SSGC.
Brig Maqsood Ahmed, Administrator DHA, SSGC's senior management and other DHA officials were among those present.
The Administrator, with the senior management of the SSGC, also performed the first joint welding of the pipeline which is being built at a cost of Rs223 million and is expected to bring 17.5 million cubic feet gas per day (mmcfd) to the desalination plant.
A gas sales agreement was signed between the SSGC and DHA in 2005.
Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director SSGC termed the gas supply project a 'milestone achievement' and also lauded the DHA for initiating the unique concept of the desalination plant for providing potable water as well as electricity to the residents of the area.
He said that work on the gas supply project was progressing on a fast-track basis and would be commissioned by December 2006 and hoped that its success would set a future direction for more such projects involving SSGC and DHA.
Munawar Baseer Ahmad further pointed out that SSGC was working towards becoming a model utility organization and was cultivating a culture of 'service with a smile' for serving its customers better.
In his brief address, Brigadier Maqsood Ahmed, DHA administrator, called the desalination plant as one of the biggest achievements of his three year tenure.
He emphasized that the ongoing work on the DHA desalination project was right on schedule and SSGC's contribution in the form of gas supply would ensure its total success.
“DHA and SSGC are ready to take on even greater challenges for improving the quality of life of the residents of the area” he said. The administrator specifically lauded the engineers and workers of SSGC for their tireless efforts in bringing gas to the desalination plant.
Earlier, Mohammad Hashim, GM Projects and Construction, SSGC presented an overview of the project and paid tribute to the commitment and dedication of the MD of SSGC and the DHA administrator for ensuring successful completion of the project.—PPI
