KARACHI, July 22: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would soon undertake a travellers survey in Karachi to assess and analyze the moving trends of the people in the city. The survey, to be carried out in all union councils of the 18 towns of the metropolis, is aimed at collection of physical data through field survey teams.

Elaborating the aims and objectives of the survey, Federal Minister for Communications Shamim Ahmed Siddiqi told a press conference here on Friday that the survey would be held during August, September and October during which JICA teams would interview some 100,000 to 150,000 people at locations, like residential houses, offices, industries, business and public places.

Kondo, JICA representative at Islamabad for this study, and DG Mass Transit, City Government, Malik Zahirul Islam were also present.

Shamim Siddiqi said that the study was part of an overall JICA programme for “revitalisation of Karachi”.

He said that JICA believes that there was a lot of potential in Karachi due to growing trade and business, but it has been under neglect for quite some time.

He said they also want to work on City’s Master Plan as well as studies on city’s water supply.

During the study in all the 18 towns, they would ascertain how people move from one district to other and from one zone to another and which mode of transport they use.

He said after the completion of the survey, they would compile their recommendations and submit the same to the government.

He said JICA has also offered to carry out study on mass transit system in Karachi.

Shamim Siddiqi said that for the proposed survey which will cost Rs4.5 million, the JICA team would train some 100 boys to get the questionnaires filled.

Shamim Siddiiqi, who specially flew into Karachi from Islamabad with Mr Kondo and other officials of the Japanese Embassy and JICA, said the agency would undertake another study to ascertain the requirement of water in Karachi, the wastage and the means to control the same.—APP