KARACHI, April 20: The city government has started the construction of main University Road from Jail Chowrangi to Hassan Square with an estimated cost of Rs220 million from its own resources, as the Pakistan International Airlines failed to give the funds for this stretch of the road.

The PIA was supposed to fund the University Road project from Mazar-i-Quaid to Hassan Square, but due to financial constraints the national carrier gave Rs70 million only. The city government completed the first phase from Mazar-i-Quaid to Jail Chowrangi with a cost of Rs140 million utilising the PIA funds.

However, the national carrier failed to give rest of the promised fund and the city government has now decided to complete the next phase from its own resources.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the construction work on Friday, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal said the road from Jail Chowrangi to Hasan Square would be constructed by the city government from its own funds in three to four months.

“Transfer of utility services such as water, sewerage and gas is completed while construction work for storm water drainage on both sides is being carried out speedily,” he added.

He said the city government could not afford to leave such an important road unfinished waiting for the funds from the PIA. He said it was our policy to finish storm water drainage system before starting the construction of any new road.

The University Road was being constructed in accordance with this policy, he said while referring to the rain-related troubles faced by commuters last year.