THATTA, Oct 7: Under a comprehensive plan the twin towns of Thatta and Makli will be improved and converted into model towns with basic civic facilities, widening of the national highway passing between these towns, removal of encroachments, as well as improvement in its existing water supply and drainage system, according to a press release issued by the Thatta Deputy Commissioner on Monday.

Stressing the special directives of the Sindh Government for upgrade of these historical towns, Thatta Deputy Commissioner Agha Shah Nawaz Babar presided over a meeting of the heads of all the departments concerned at the DC office Darbar Hall in Makli. He asked the officers to prepare PC-I of the schemes incorporating their suggestions and to submit them with the superintendent engineer works and services department Thatta within two days.

Mr Babar said the upgrading of concrete streets, street lights, footpaths, beautification of a public park in Makli, building of waiting rooms at bus stops and modern libraries, and other development schemes would be tackled on a priority basis. He also invited suggestions for the procurement of machinery for pumping out rainwater and debris from the towns and to revive the fire brigade system.

The DC told the meeting participants that Thatta district had immense potential for tourism due to a number of its historical sites and picnic spots such as the legendary Keenjhar Lake, the bird’s paradise Haleji Lake, its other wetlands Hudero Lake, Bothro Lake, Bambhore, Makli necropolis, Sonda graveyard among many others. He added that the promotion and improvement of Thatta and Makli could attract visitors to visit these historical towns and also help generate revenue for the district.

It is worth mentioning here that a couple of weeks ago under the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and the provincial minister for local bodies and revenue Syed Owais Muzafar Hashmi had convened a similar sort of meeting at the DC office to upgrade the coastal towns Ghorabari, Garho, Var, Baghan and Pir Patho as model towns. Moreover, preliminary paperwork pertaining to the matter is under preparation according to sources.