KARACHI, July 3: Work on the revamping of infrastructural facilities of the Defence Housing Authority, Phase I, will be completed within 12 months at an estimated cost of Rs200 million, says a press release.

The DHA administrator, Brig Maqsood Hussain, informed the DHA executive board on Saturday that contracts for refurbishment and renovations of civic facilities in Phase IV would be awarded shortly.

The president of the DHA executive board, Lt-Gen Ahsan Saleem Hayat, said that Defence, Phase I, should be converted into a model phase.

"He asked the DHA to take measures for uplift and improvement of facilities in the commercial areas of the DHA. He directed DHA authorities to focus on speedy development of infrastructure in Defence, Phase VIII," says the press release.

He exhorted the DHA staff to put in sustained and dedicated professional efforts to provide qualitative civic environment to the residents and to maintain the stature and reputation of the DHA as an efficient, dynamic and well-regulated residential locality of the country.

Lt-Gen Hyat also asked the housing authority to take measures for improvement of facilities in commercial areas of Defence.

He directed DHA authorities to focus on speedy development of infrastructure in Defence Phase VIII and to put it on a fast-track to accelerate construction and development in the area.

The executive board also gave approval for construction of a new Degree College for Women in Defence, Phase VII Extn, building of a top-class Field Track and Sports Stadium in Defence, Phase VIII, and development of Seaview Beach from the Kinara Restaurant to the Village Restaurant.

The development works also improvement and upgrading of roads, stormwater drains, sewerage overhauling, laying of new water supply lines, revamping of entire electricity system, improvement of amenities and landscaping of the area.

A consultancy study is also being carried out by NESPAK to draw an efficient traffic circulation plan to help in smooth and uninterrupted flow of traffic in Defence, says the press release.

It adds that the executive board was also informed that proposals of a number of investors from the UAE, Malaysia and Singapore for the development of the 14-kilometre waterfront were being finalized.