KARACHI, Feb 11: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Saturday inaugurated mechanized sweeping of city roads after a gap of more than five decades and termed it as “conceptual transformation of vision and attitude” towards civic needs.

Speaking at a ceremony held here to mark the inauguration of 30 marathon mechanical sweepers, he said sanitation, traffic and three utilities (water, power and gas) directly affect every segment of society and revival of mechanized sweeping is a laudable step taken by the City District Government Karachi.

He said induction of new innovations, like privatization of solid waste management, and making it a night-time process will, in the long run, facilitate people.

Initially, the machines will operate on 28 major streets and later operations will be extended to other roads.

“This (mechanized sweeping) seems to be small deal but it will only benefit public,” he said and called for positive approach towards new developments rather than aimless criticism.

Ibad said water availability is a crucial issue for Karachi and CDGK’s initiative to ensure completion of K-III project, hopefully by March, along with finalization of distribution network would greatly facilitate citizens.

Acknowledging the multiple problems faced by the metropolis, he assured full support of provincial and federal governments to CDGK in its uplift projects.

He lauded the law-enforcing agencies, CDGK, clerics and people for maintaining peace and harmony during first 10 sacred days of Muharram.

The multi-purpose mechanized sweepers have been imported from Turkey at a cost of Rs1.45 million each and will require tractor with draw-bar to pull the machine for sweeping.

It can sweep a tract of Sharea Faisal up to eight kilometres in just eight hours and provides 60 to 80 times more output than manual sweepers.

City Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal said that the City District Government Karachi had contributed for mechanical sweepers from its own kitty, without slashing funds of ongoing schemes. He said that the CDGK and its tiers are moving forward without any discrimination.

“We look forward to support from everyone in our endeavour to develop the city,” he said referring to diplomats and others present on the occasion.

A large number of people, including Local Govt Advisor Waseem Akhtar, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, political leaders, CDGK officials, town Nazims, Naib Nazims and others also attended the ceremony.—PPI