KARACHI, Jan 16: The city government, under its ambitious plan of turning Karachi into 'a city of parks and gardens', has earmarked a huge amount of Rs 766.64 million for developing as many as 19 more major parks in the metropolis.

Work on all these proposed parks, which include 13 more model parks, besides six other huge parks, is expected to start within one month, and would be completed in six months.

The CDGK's present leadership has already developed 10 model parks in different towns of the city, and if it succeeds in its uphill task of setting up 19 more parks in the next six months, the number of parks to be developed by it in its four-year term will jump to 29, which would be a record in the history of Karachi.

The huge amount to be spent on developing these parks is likely to be provided from the City Nazim's Special Development Fund. Confirming that the CDGK had chalked out a comprehensive plan in this regard, City Nazim Niamatullah Khan told Dawn that all out efforts would be made to complete these parks within the next six months, so as to provide relief to the citizens of this pollution-infested metropolis.

The nazim said that though the CDGK had initially planned to develop one model park in each of the 18 towns, it had now decided to increase the number to 23, keeping in view the large area falling under the jurisdiction of some towns.

The major parks to developed in various towns include 'Daman-e-Koh', which will be developed on 45 acres of land in North Nazimabad's Block 'T' at an estimated cost of Rs52.13 million, which will almost be a replica of Islamabad's Daman-e-Koh, besides a 10-acre Hippodrum Park in Clifton's Block 5 at a cost of Rs80.9m; Gutter Baghicha to be developed on 163 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs40.1m; 12-acre Fateh Bagh at North Nazimabad's Block 5 (Rs21.29m); 80-acre Bagh-e-Ibne Qasim in Clifton (Rs23.02m), and development of 28-acre Aziz Bhatti Park (Rs62.03m).

The 13 other model parks to be developed in 13 towns and these include development of a four-acre park in Gadap Town at an estimated cost of Rs18.72m; 10-acre park in Mehmoodabad, PECHS (Rs32.88m); four-acre park in Keamari Town (Rs14.33m); 10-acre park in Lyari's Bakra Pirri (Rs 11.12m); a 7-acre park in Clifton's Block 5 (Rs19.92m); a 4-acre park in Bin Qasim Town (Rs15.10m); one- acre park in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town (Rs3.21m); 6-acre Nanakwarra Park (Rs13.14m); a 7-acre park in Memon Society, Lal Muhammad Chaudry Road (Rs 26.93m); a 4-acre park in Orangi Town (Rs11.13m); a 6-acre park in Baldia Town (Rs14.18m); 1.5-acre park in Old City Area, opposite TPX police station (Rs 11.03m) and a 6-acre park near Chawla Market (Rs 13.30m).

The development of these parks has been recommended by a 5-member committee, which was formed by the city nazim on model parks. The committee is headed by district officer, Liaquat Ali Khan, and its members include Gulberg Town Naib Nazim Usman Baig; Union Council Nazims Abid Ilyas and Faizanullah, while Misbahuddin Jamillee is its secretary.

INAUGURATED: City Nazim Niamatullah Khan on Sunday inaugurated two parks, Maulai Park and Mehmoodabad Model Park, in Jamshed Town. The model park is stretched over an area of 10 acres, adds PPI.