KARACHI, March 16: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday held a meeting with regard to grant of permission for sand to be used in the Lyari Expressway project. The meeting reviewed the excavation of “reti/bajri” from various areas of Karachi, particularly from rivers and nullahs in Malir, Gadap, Konkar and Dumlottee.

The meeting was informed that there was a ban by the district government on excavation of stand though a number of elements excavated sand from there which resulted in drop in subsoil water level. It prompted apprehension of shortage of water in various wells and underground reserves. As a result, this could affect the cultivation of vegetables and fruits in these areas.

It was stated that 55 per cent of vegetables were supplied to Karachi from areas around the city while 45 per cent came from the interior of Sindh.

Representatives of the FWO, the NLC, the DG for Mines and Mineral Development, the Taluka nazim and Taluka municipal administration, Gadap Town, the DCO of Karachi, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, Chief Secretary Mohammed Aslam Sanjrani and Brig Tariq Butt of Corps-5 apprised the meeting about their suggestion.—APP