KARACHI, July 10: The City District Government Karachi has decided to carry out an immediate survey for repair of all bridges in Karachi and removal of encroachments from under the bridges.

The survey, according to the CDGK, will be completed in one month while another survey regarding removal of encroachments in parks and playgrounds will be completed in 15 days.

The decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of acting Nazim Tariq Hasan here on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by EDOs, town police officers, town Nazims and municipal officers.

Speaking at the meeting, the acting nazim said that all encroachments be removed from under the bridges to ensure smooth movement of traffic.

He said measures in advance are essential to avoid any possible mishap and this requires immediate removal of all sorts of encroachments from under the bridges.

He called for chalking out a coordinated programme for repair and maintenance of bridges.

He said that town municipal administration and town police will carry out joint surveillance of these bridges.

He said that side-by-side new bridges, repair and maintenance of old bridges is part of the city government’s priorities. He called for a report within eight days regarding repair of Mochko and Sohrab Goth bridges. He said he would visit these bridges on July 18.

The meeting observed that wherever there is a need for improved lighting system over and under the bridges, the same be done immediately.

The meeting observed that there was no centralized data, containing details and history of bridges in Karachi, since some of them were built by the defunct KDA or KMC and none has kept updated record of bridges.

In pursuance of this goal, Tariq Hasan directed all the Town Nazims to prepare a report within a month containing proper details, current condition and suggestions about bridges in their respective areas while other relevant details would be gathered by works and services department of the City Government.

Keeping in view recent incidents of arson and terrorism in Karachi as well as the fire incident under the Teen Hatti bridge, the acting Nazim urged all the TPOs to increase their vigilance under the bridges and ensure that no inflammable and explosive material is dumped under the bridges.

A number of town Nazims also spoke on the occasion and gave suggestions. It was highlighted that the Malir river bridge is in bad condition.

It was observed at the meeting that the ICI bridge, Shershah bridge and some other bridges in the city also needed repairs. On this, the EDO works and services said that the case of some of the bridges was lying in the city council while the repair work at the ICI bridge and Shershah bridge will commence soon.—PPI/PPI