KARACHI, Nov 1: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has called for an immediate survey of all the pedestrian bridges in the metropolis and repair of their dilapidated portions.

Observing that the dilapidated bridges could cause loss of human lives any time, the governor said that the situation should be attended to on emergency basis.

He issued these directives while chairing a high level meeting on Saturday. The meeting discussed various issues including long pending traffic problems, functionalization of Hawkesbay scheme, coastal development and meat prices. The meeting was attended by Adviser Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Principal Secretary Akhtar Zamin, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government Mohammed Saleem Khan, Naib Nazim Tariq Hasan, DCO Mir Hussain Ali and other officials.

The governor directed that allottees of Hawkesbay scheme should be provided facilities expeditiously. He said that road leading to Hawkesbay should be kept free from encroachments while service roads should also be constructed at the earliest.

Dr Ibad also formed a committee, to be headed by chief secretary, to solve various problems concerning the Hawksbay scheme and devising an effective line of action in this respect.

The meeting was informed that the construction of roads and laying sewerage lines in journalist society was going on and the same would be completed within two months. He appreciated the on going beach development project and directed the concerned officials to submit a report in this regard within one month.

The governor said that effective monitoring should be done to ensure all essential items were being sold at fixed rates. He also issued directive for improved heavy traffic arrangement and repair of road from ICI bridge to Gulbai.

He directed the officials of all provincial departments to take people into confidence in every sector, particularly in maintenance of law and order. He called upon police authorities to ensure liaison with common people from Thana to higher level. He stressed that an environment of trust should be established so that people could easily approach police in hour of need.

Dr Ibad said that a cell was established in Governor House, which had been regularly monitoring the prices of edibles and other essential items and the flow of traffic during Ramazan. He said that the officials of all provincial departments must not show any negligence towards their responsibilities.

The IGP informed the meeting that security arrangements had been made in all bazaars, business centres, mosques, imambargahs and other places of worship. He said that a coordinated programme was being implemented by strengthening the intelligence network.

Meanwhile, the governor went round various bazaars and markets without any prior notice on Saturday. During his visit, the governor inquired about the prices of different items from shopkeepers and consumers.

He was accompanied by Adviser Local Government Wasim Akhtar, Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkal Kazi, Naib Nazim Tariq Hassan, secretary food, DCO and a few other officials.

The governor visited commercial areas of Empress Market, Burnes Road and Tariq Road. He went to the shops of vegetables, fruits, meat, and grocery to inquired about the prices and quality of items being sold.

During visit to complaint centres, the governor directed concerned official to ensure the availability of consumer items and their sale as per fixed price and quality.

At the complaint centre, the officials informed the governor about the monitoring system and action being taken against profiteers. Dr Ibad said that profiteers should be dealt with strictly and besides imposing fine, wherever deemed necessary, no leniency should be shown for award of other punishments. — APP