KARACHI, Aug 18: Sindh Minister for Planning and Development Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, on Monday, reviewed the progress of Lyari Expressway and Resettlement Project.

The minister said that all possible assistance would be provided to the National Highway Authority (NHA) for smooth execution of the expressway project.

He emphasized on minimum dislocation of the poor and provision of adequate compensation for leased properties in the light of Sindh High Court’s judgment and in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act.

Mr Shoaib called for examining the possibility of reducing the width of service road by the NHA in order to avoid dislocation of the poor residents.

Project Director Shafiq-ur-Rehman Paracha assured the minister for minimum dislocation and said that the decision of SHC regarding leased properties would also be honoured.

He said that so far 30 per cent R.O.W. had been given by the provincial government and 70 per cent would be available by the end of this year.

Mr Paracha suggested that the issue of mosque shifting should be resolved by the Auqaf Department. He also asked for the support of education and health departments in the resettlement scheme.

The minister said that the resettlement task was a sensitive issue, as it involved the human factor. This should be done in accordance with the aspirations of the people residing there.

He also discussed the project of Super Highway, N-5 and N-55 with the NHA.

ACS (Dev) Ghulam Sarwar Khero, Muhammad Yousaf Barakzai, Project Director Lyari Expressway (Road Portion) Muhammad Arif Khan, Project Coordinator, and others also attended the meeting.—APP