KARACHI, March 5: The city government has started construction work to expand Preedy Street as residents of around 1,385 houses affected by the development work have begun shifting from the area.

The houses that have been vacated are being demolished with heavy machinery by the government.

The DCO of Karachi, Javed Hanif Khan, on Thursday visited Preedy Street where he was briefed by the Lines Area project director, Saifur Rehman, about the progress of the development work.City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had started the process of allotment of plots in Mahmoodabad area to the residents of 1,385 affected houses and payment of Rs50,000 each as cash compensation to the residents.

So far 200 houses have been vacated after providing the residents alternative plots and cash compensation.

People affected by the Preedy Street expansion project have started the construction of their houses in Mahmoodabad area where, according to the government, all utility services, including water, electricity and gas, have been supplied.—APP