KARACHI, July 13: US Consulate officials on Wednesday held meetings with the representatives of various public utilities in view of their relocation to a cotton storage warehouse on Mai Kolachi bypass. Sources privy to the proceedings of the meetings told Dawn that 28 acres land was being offered by the Karachi Port Trust. Currently operating as a KPT warehouse, it was located next to the Intelligence School area.

Reports of the relocation of the US Consulate to the Boating Basin area near a school in February alarmed citizens who opposed the move, arguing that it would inconvenience area residents and endanger lives of students.

“The US Consulate was represented by Kevin O. Reill, chief engineer, building operation, department of state, US. It was noted with satisfaction that the proposed site for the US Consulate was situated in close proximity to a telephone exchange and a power house,” they said.

The sources said the US officials were currently studying the proposed site for the US Consulate to ensure that it would be safe from possible terrorist attacks. They said American officials expressed apprehension about the fact that a large number of high-rise buildings were close by.

The sources said the US Consulate would retain its building on Abdullah Haroon Road even after its relocation. They added the US consul-general would move his residence to the proposed site of the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi bypass.

At present, the residence of the US consul-general is located on Fatima Jinnah Road, which is closed to public transport.