KARACHI, Sept 15: To ensure the elimination of three perennial traffic congestion spots in the city, development work on Hino Chowrangi, Korangi Road improvement scheme, Shah Faisal Colony Flyover and the erection of walls and a median around Quaidabad Bridge will be completed by the first quarter of next year, costing around Rs320 million.

On Sunday, Sindh Chief Secretary K B Rind, accompanied by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan and DCO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha paid a visit to these projects to review the pace of work. The Sindh chief secretary inaugurated construction on a dual road on the coastal belt along Ibrahim Hyderi, which will be completed under the Khushhal Pakistan Scheme with a cost of Rs10.68 million.

Speaking on the occasion, Naimatullah Khan said that the city government had laid special emphasis on upgrading the living standard of people, especially residents of far-flung areas.

Efforts were under way to extend better facilities to colonies along the coastal belt such as Ibrahim Hyderi, Defence and Clifton, he said, adding that Karachi is a city of fishermen, and they had rendered uncountable services to the city.

Unfortunately, these localities were ignored in the past, and we stand committed to alleviate their miseries and despondency, Khan added.

He paid tributes to the chief secretary, and said that along with the elected representatives, he had been serving with devotion to mitigate the people’s sufferings.

Rind said that development work should be completed in accordance with high standards and fulfilling legal requirements.

The chief secretary said that development activities are being extended to underprivileged and far-flung areas of the city, and they would be completed on a priority basis. He said that 538 katchi abadis in the city and less developed areas including Ibrahim Hyderi, Korangi and Liaquatabad deserved immediate attention on a priority basis.

He issued instructions for revitalizing Korangi Harbour, as so far, it was not properly utilized. He assured fishermen that all their civic problems would be solved and their issues such as water, sewerage, education, health and others would be considered as vital and solved forthwith.

DCO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha stressed the need for pursuing scientific efforts to upgrade the fishing sector and to keep it in line with modern day requirements.—PPI