KARACHI, Nov 23: The city government has chalked out a comprehensive plan to clean and beautify the metropolis for the Expo Pakistan Exhibition 2005, to be held in February, assigning tasks to different departments to complete the work in stipulated time.

A number of decisions to this effect were taken in the first meeting of "Sights and Sounds Committee" for Expo Pakistan 2005 chaired by the City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, the other day. The meeting was attended by DCO Karachi Fazlur Rahman, EDOs of various departments and officials of the city government and other departments.

With regard to cleaning and repairing of roads and bridges, it was decided that maintenance of roads and central maidens of Sharea Faisal, Sir Shah Suleman Road, University Road up to the Gulshan flyover, and installation of lights and repair of broken grills on the Baloch Colony Bridge and Korangi Expressway would be completed by December 31.

It was also decided that work be carried out on priority basis to repair lights on the newly constructed FTC Flyover, which remained in darkness. Besides, the city nazim directed that beautification work be carried out at the area beneath the FTC Flyover.

On setting up of green belts on thoroughfares leading towards the Expo Centre Karachi, the meeting decided that kerb stones on the leftover patches of the green belt on Sharea Faisal be fixed immediately. The DO Planning and Development, city government has been assigned to design the plan and submit it to the higher authorities.

The grills on the central maiden under all flyovers on Sharea Faisal would be repaired, maintained and painted by the end of next month. The leftover debris and sand on the said road would also be removed immediately.

The meeting asked the department concerned to complete the construction of Karsaz Road by December 31 by carrying out round-the-clock work, as it would be the main passage of participants visiting the exhibition. Green belts would be developed and maintained on the Karsaz Road upon its completion.

The meeting also requested the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation to arrange the replacement of broken wires and painting of plies on roads leading to the Expo Centre. Streetlights and flagpoles on all roads including the Sharea Faisal, Karsaz, Sir Shah Suleman and University roads would be maintained properly.

It was told that the steering committee for the event would provide 2,000 scrolls and 500 flags to be placed on the electric poles alongside the route. Large-sized hoardings would also be placed with welcome messages and other slogans regarding the Expo Pakistan 2005.

It was decided that illumination by decorative and festive lights would be done on regular intervals on the roads leading to the venue of the event. While it was suggested that instead of blocking the whole traffic for VVIP/VIP movement, the fast track on Sharea Faisal might be reserved for the purpose.

Naimat expressed his displeasure over the influx of beggars in Karachi, which portrayed a very ugly scene at major roundabouts, signals and shopping centres. It was decided that appropriate measures would be taken for removal of beggars from the routes of the participants well in advance of the start of event.

It was decided that cleanliness of roads, the venue and of the hotel surroundings would be ensured, and graffiti on all routes of the event be removed. The city nazim, speaking to participants of the meeting, expressed gratitude to the federal government for organising another mega event in Karachi in February next year. 'This will definitely prove another milestone in portraying Karachi as one of the ideally suited cities for investment,' he said.

The DCO Karachi, Fazlur Rahman, said that the city government would leave no stone unturned to portray the city as "clean and green" and would give it a festive look in order to create a pleasant atmosphere for the visiting participants. - PPI