KARACHI, Aug 23: The DHA governing body has expressed its deep concern, sympathies and support to the Defence residents for the agonising sufferings they had to bear because of the recent torrential rains in the metropolis.

A statement on Wednesday said that the governing body took a serious view of the chaos and havoc created in certain localities of Defence due to rains and directed DHA management to undertake massive rainwater drainage, maintenance and cleanliness operations in the rain-affected areas to alleviate the problems of the residents.

Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (Retd) Tariq Waseem Ghazi, who is also the chairman governing body, directed the DHA to initiate immediate repairs of all damaged roads in Defence on emergency basis. The 22nd annual meeting of DHA governing body was held at DHA’s main office on Wednesday.

Lt-Gen (retd) Tariq Waseem asked the DHA authorities to put all its system in place, review its civic management strategy and act proactively in dealing with the natural calamities and emergencies.

The governing body also expressed its dissatisfaction at the poor performance of Clifton Cantonment Board during the rain emergency and directed DG Military Lands and Cantonments to take immediate measures for capacity building of CCB to undertake maintenance responsibilities of all developed phases of Defence.

Commander Corps Lt-Gen Ahsan Azhar Hayat directed the DHA to undertake restructuring and remodelling of all its existing sewerage and drainage systems in a futuristic manner to obviate recurrence of such a pathetic scenario in the future.

The governing body was informed that DHA power and desalination project, a unique venture of its kind in the country, was in the advanced stage of completion, which would start its operation by the end of this year.

After completion of the project, 3mgd water would be available from desalination plant along with 3mgd additional water from K-III project of the KWSB, which would resolve the longstanding problem of water shortage in Defence.

Lt-Gen (Retd) Tariq Waseem asked the DHA management to funnel all the profits earned from various schemes by the Authority to bring about a quantum improvement in provision of better civic amenities and living environment in all phases of Defence.

He said that the major DHA mega projects, such as waterfront developments, infrastructural development of Phase-VIII, refurbishment of old phases, development of Phase-II and Creek City, should be given completed expeditiously by removing all the impediments in way of their smooth execution.

The governing body reiterated its confidence in the efficacy of DHA waterfront projects, which envisaged provision of free and uninhibited accessibility of 80 per cent prime beachfront area to the general public in its improved yet pristine form.

The project would turn the Clifton beach into a most attractive recreational and entertainment resort of the city free of any charge.

The meeting also accorded approval for the state-of-the-art development of Phase-II land astride Super Highway for making a modern satellite town through some renowned private developers for value addition of the project.

Earlier, DHA administrator outlined the genetic urban problems faced by Defence due to its low lying location and non-availability of adequate open areas, utilities and infrastructural corridors.

Defence Secretary Lt-Gen Tariq Waseem at the end commended DHA Administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain for rendering outstanding services during his three-year tenure, completing by the end of this month.—APP