KARACHI, May 11: The city government on Wednesday began an operation for demolishing a large number of government buildings and shops from a portion of M A Jinnah Road so as to pave way for re-construction of M A Jinnah Road from Mereweather Tower to Keamari.

During the operation, the CDGK’s enforcement department has been assigned the task of demolishing over 81 police quarters, a dispensary of the city government, doctors’ and para-medical staff’s residence, a number of other government buildings and shops till May 14.

As soon as the operation began on Wednesday, some people protested over the move but they later dispersed peacefully when they were told by the officials that the drive is aimed at removing all sorts of obstacles which are creating hindrances in reconstruction of the road whose completion will help streamline flow of traffic.

A heavy contingent of police, headed by town police officer and deputy superintendent of police concerned, was present at the site of demolition work to ward of any law and order situation.

A CDGK spokesman said that the Karachi Port Trust committed to reconstruct M A Jinnah Road from Keamari to Jail Chowrangi in three phases.