KARACHI, July 22: The New Preedy Street Extension Project, from Quaid's mausoleum to Impress Market, is laying in cold storage owing to scores of reasons, particularly because of lack of interest by the City District Government Karachi.

The Rs65 million project, initiated in 2002 to provide an easy access to traffic approaching towards Saddar and surrounding areas from University Road, Shahrah-i-Quaideen and adjoining areas, has confronted a number of factors, mainly encroachment and removal of residential units come in the way of road in Lines Area.

Around 3,000 feet of road in length has been carpeted, out of a total 5,200 feet, but the remaining portion of the road, has been left unattended by the authorities concerned.

A source in the City Government told PPI that Rs40 million have been spent on completion of a portion of road. If the road is not completed at the earliest, it means wastage of money.

The project, aimed at improving traffic flow on M A Jinnah Road has not witnessed any progress for last one-and-a-half years.

"Around 2,600 families will be dislocated in Lines Area if the remaining portion of the road is completed for which a resettlement project was set up in Korangi with the provision of all amenities," sources said.

However, despite the preparation of a rehabilitation plan for affectees of New Preedy Road, no progress could be made to rehabilitate the people in Korangi.-PPI