KARACHI, Sept 2: The mega projects of Karachi came under review at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Sindh chief secretary K.B. Rind here on Monday.

The meeting reviewed the pace of work on Lyari Expressway, Karachi Northern Bypass, 100 mgd K-III Water Supply Scheme, Khushhal Pakistan Programme (Phases I, II and III), RBOD-II, Thar Coal, Karachi Circular Railway, National Drainage Programme, Village Electrification Programme and Sharea Faisal Flyover.

The meeting was also attended by secretary of minerals Aslam Sanjrani, secretary-general administration, Mohammed Arif Azim and additional chief secretary Shahzado Shaikh.

The chief secretary was informed that work on Lyari Expressway re-settlement project, a subsidiary scheme of Rs 5.10 billion expressway project, is going on at a fast pace, work on Rs 2.70 billion Northern Bypass and Rs 6.103 billion K-III water supply projects are progressing satisfactorily and the agreement reached between the KDA and the KWSB for procurement of pipes is also under implementation.

It was informed that the total cost of all the three phases of KPP is Rs 5.560 billion and some 3,355 schemes of the three phases are nearing completion.

The meeting was informed that work Rs 2,200 million RBOD-II is continuing. Its first phase is nearing completion while work on the second phase is about to start.

It was stated that Thar Coal project costs Rs 500 million dollars and Chinese experts have started work on the scheme.

Karachi circular railway is a Rs 128.606 million project whereby Karachiites would get an effective commuting system. Work on it will start after final a go-ahead by the President.

The chief secretary called for a comprehensive briefing on the National Drainage Programme.

As regards the village electrification, the chief secretary was informed that electricity had been supplied to 6,108 villages while Rs 53.441 million have been allocated under Khushhal Pakistan Programme to supply electricity to more villages.

About Sharea Faisal Flyover, the meeting was informed that 31 per cent work had been done and the project will be completed by August 2003.

K.B. Rind directed that completion of these projects within stipulated period be ensured so that people of Sindh could benefit from the same.—APP