KARACHI, March 2: The Works and Services Department of the Karachi City District Government has completed the Mehran Highway scheme at a cost of Rs 146.40 million, connecting Landhi with Bin Qasim.

The newly-constructed road was inaugurated by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan on Saturday evening.

The 7.5 km long and 8 x 8 meter wide road stretches from Rice Godowns up to Cattle Colony. The road has footpaths on both sides and a green central island. The road has been beautified with kerb stones.

It is the first and a life long road constructed in the suburbs of Karachi.

After the construction of this road, the travel time between Landhi and Bin Qasim and between Bhains Colony and Steel Town has been curtailed from previously one hour to mere 10 minutes.

The notables and people of the area expressed their great delight over the construction of the road and thanked the Nazim Karachi who inspected this scheme during the construction period four times and ensured its on time completion.

Addressing the function, the Nazim Karachi, Naimatullah Khan said that population of Karachi has been growing haphazardly because of lack of proper planning and it was for this reason that problems were also increasing while the resources are limited.

He said the city government was trying to resolve the problems by remaining within its available resources.

He said that the city government enjoys full cooperation of the Sindh governor and the chief minister, but some persons at the government level were demonstrating non-cooperation.

He hoped that they too would cooperate in the larger interest of people of Karachi so that we could work together for the welfare of people and help restore law and order in Karachi.

Naimatullah Khan said that our performance is before everyone and the people of Karachi do admit that the city government had carried out record development schemes.

He said that it is for the first time in the history of Karachi that development schemes are being completed ahead of schedule and Mehran highway project is one of the example.

The Nazim informed that Shah Faisal Colony flyover too would be completed five months ahead of the stipulated time.

He pointed out that transport is Karachi’s major problem and the City Government fully realises that it could be resolved by bringing more buses or coaches.

“We are considering introducing long-term plans of mass transit which include magneto and mono trains.” He said that magneto trams project would cost one million dollars for which talks with foreign companies are in the final stages.

“We want to prefer the investment from Muslim countries and investors. For this purpose, talks are being held with Malaysian, Saudi and Bahraini companies and financial institutions.

He informed that a Malaysian company which is operating mono- train in Kuala Lumpur has shown interest to run this train in Karachi. He said a headway in this regard is expected soon.

The Nazim said that he alongwith Governor Ishrat-ul-Ebad visited four under construction roundabouts and other development projects of the CDGK and he has appreciated the work and assured of his full cooperation.

He said the governor had promised to accompany him on a visit to Landhi and Korangi and also provide funds for solution of people’s problems.

Later, the Nazim visited various parts of Landhi and inspected the ongoing sewerage schemes.—APP