KARACHI, Sept 11: The city government can utilize the land on both sides of the under-construction Northern Bypass and Lyari Expressway for important schemes, like organized termini for heavy vehicles , warehouses, commodity market, etc., as shifting of such facilities from congested areas would not only help contain congestion but also solve the space problem in respect of transporters' and traders' activities.

This was observed by the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Brig Akhtar Zamin, who paid a four hour visit to the sites of the two mega projects on Saturday as directed by the governor.

DCO Mir Hussain Ali, NHA Project Director Mohammed Yusuf Barakzai, LEW Project Director Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, FWO's Brig Anwar, EDO (Revenue) Mohammed Waseem and senior NLC officials present on the occasion briefed Brig Zamin about progress of work on the two projects.

Brig Zamin travelled through the right of way attained so far and reviewed the ongoing work.

While driving through the Expressway alignment, the principal secretary stopped at many places and inspected the sites along the embankments and erection of pillars for bridges.

He expressed satisfaction over the pace of work and directed the concerned officials of the city government to gear up the attainment of right of way and resettlement of the affected families.

The expressway, being constructed on both sides of Lyari River, is 33kms long out of which 17-km right of way has been attained, the officials told the secretary, adding that the attained portion had been handed over to the Frontier Works Organization.

Brig Zamin directed them that minor problems in this regard be settled judiciously so that the expressway could be completed at the earliest.

While he was inspecting the sites of the 56-km-long Northern Bypass, he was informed that the estimate and PC-1 for the dualization of the bypass was under preparation.

He observed that the bypass, after completion, would brighten opportunities for fast development and growth of the metropolis.

He was also informed that 37-km section of the bypass, between Super Highway and RCD Highway, had been completed and could be opened to traffic by next month.-APP