KARACHI, June 21: The reconstruction of a 4.8 kilometre-long Shahrah-i-Ghalib (from Keamari intersection to Bilawal House Chowrangi) began on Monday under the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme.

Speaking at the foundation-stone laying ceremony, City Nazim Naimatullah, told newsmen that the road would be completed in a year at an estimated cost of Rs300 million. Eulogising the services of National Logistic Cell (NLC), he hoped that NLC officials would ensure that the road was made an exemplary one and was completed in its stipulated time.

Referring to development works currently being undertaken by the city government, he said construction works on 20 major roads of the metropolis would begin in the next three months, ensuring that modern technology would be used in their construction.

He said that with a view to bringing visible improvement in infrastructure of the city's four industrial zones - Landhi, Korangi, North Karachi and Federal B' Area - a number of development works such as construction of roads, improvement of street lights and laying of water and sewerage lines would be undertaken shortly in co-operation with the Export Promotion Bureau.

Lauding the cooperation of business community and oil companies, the Nazim said it was incumbent upon every segment of society to contribute their share in the city's development.

On this occasion, the nazim said that CDGK and Ziauddin Medical University would shortly sign a memorandum of understanding for bringing improvement in the city's health sector.

District Co-ordination Officer Mir Hussain Ali, said that with the laying of foundation of Shahrah-i-Ghalib, implementation of the proposal put forward by the city nazim before President Pervez Musharraf had begun, and very soon Karachiites would see a visible change in the city's infrastructure.

CDGK's Works and Services Department's EDO Shoaib Siddiqui said that a number of development works were currently being undertaken expeditiously. Also speaking on the occasion, NLC's Col Abdul Waheed Khan, said there would be storm-water drains on either side of Shahrah-i-Ghalib. The road, he added, would have four lanes from Keamari intersection to Shireen Jinnah Colony, and six lanes from Shireen Jinnah Colony to Bilawal Chowrangi.