KARACHI, April 2: Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar has directed that 10 underpasses be constructed in the metropolis to help cope with the increasing traffic in the city owing to growing population.

Presiding over a high-level meeting here on Friday, Mr Mahar directed that underpasses be constructed at roundabouts in the city to help cope with the increasing flow of traffic in view of the growing population in the metropolis.

He instructed that Sharea Faisal be beautified by planting some 10,000 trees on either side of the road.

The forest department, it was pointed out, had made available 3,000 trees to the City District Government Karachi.

The chief minister said in view of the increasing flow of traffic, the possibility of widening of Sharea Faisal be also looked into.

He stated that trees would be planted on important thoroughfares in the province, and along canals.

It was also informed that trees worth one million dollars provided by the Swiss Government would be planted at the Gorakh Hill by November this year.

The meeting reviewed the projects of the annual development programme for the year 2003-04.

Mr Mahar said that billions of rupees had been allocated for development schemes in the province and it was the responsibility of the government officials and organizations to ensure that these are completed on time and standard of work is maintained so that people could fully benefit.

The chief minister pointed out that with the completion of schemes, including repair and construction of roads, irrigation schemes, projects for promotion of tourism, Thar Coal project and others, the province would be put on the course of prosperity.

He stated that the money that is being spent on the annual development programme and other programmes in Sindh this year is more than that of the last one decade.

It was informed that under the current annual development programme, Rs 11 billion have been allocated and that work is continuing on 1,675 projects in the province.

The meeting was informed that out of these, the 421 schemes from the administrative departments are being pursued with Rs6474 million. So far Rs4033.843 million rupees have been released.

Todate Rs2 billion more have been spent during this fiscal as compared to that of the last year. In the districts, Rs1,333 million have been spent. It was also pointed out that of the 421 on-going ADP schemes, 119 would be completed by June this year, whereas 24 have been completed todate.

The meeting was informed that 30 schemes pertain to agriculture department, 12 are of fisheries and livestock, 29 are of forest and wildlife, 12 are of labour, transport and industry, 15 are of mines, mineral development, 30 are of irrigation and power, 12 are of local government, 150 are of works and services, 29 are of education, 46 are of health, 17 are of tourism, sports, social welfare, nine are of statistics and economic development, 18 are of information, science and technology, two are of women development, three are of environment and three special projects, etc.

The project director of the Gorakh Hill Scheme informed the meeting that so far carpeting of 30 km road had been completed and work was continuing on 11 km of roads. For supply of electricity, Rs30 million have been made available to the HESCO.

The meeting was further told that 555 schemes would be initiated under a scheme for the shelterless for which a sum of Rs220 million would be required.

The chief minister directed that the meetings of the standing committees of all the departments should be held regularly. He was of the view that the people should be informed about the government's efforts, as well as the development projects.- APP