KARACHI, Sept 22: The city government is spending over Rs227 million on 64 sewerage improvement projects under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme.

The schemes include replacement of the dilapidated sewerage line on Altaf Hussain Road and the laying of new line from Jehangir Road to Lasbella.

Sindh chief secretary K.B. Rind was informed during a review visit to these scheme along with DCO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha on Sunday that about 35 per cent of the KPP fund had been allocated for the improvement of the ruined sewerage system.

Mr Rind appreciated the efforts being made in this regard by the city government and said that a permanent and comprehensive strategy should be prepared for repairing the damaged sewerage lines.

He said the city government should include the improvement of sewerage system in its priority list.

Mr Rind was informed that a 26-inch dia sewerage line was being laid at a cost of Rs6 million on Hasrat Mohani Road from Altaf Hussain to Daudpota Road. It was a 40-year-old sewerage line which had been destroyed due to the flow of sewage-mixed chemical wastes.

He was informed that residents and shopkeepers on M.A. Jinnah Road near Motandas Market and other adjoining commercial areas were facing problems because of overflow of sewerage lines and they were demanding change of the line for the last 15 years.

In Jamshed Quarters, Martin Quarters and Baloch Para (Business Recorder) there was no sewerage line and the sewage of a population of over one hundred thousand was being disposed of through the stormwater drain, which too had blocked because of non-cleaning and spilling-over of the sewerage line.

While passing through NIPA and Liaquatabad Town, the chief secretary expressed displeasure over the poor cleanliness condition caused by dumping of garbage.

He visited the improvement and signal installation work at Nagan Chowrangi and was given a detailed briefing about the scheme at the site by EDO transport, Dr Tahir Soomro. The EDO said the work would be completed next month.

The chief secretary also inspected the under-construction Shah Waliullah and Rashid Minhas roads. The work is being done under annual development programme.

The EDO works, Brig Zahir Qadri, gave briefings on the details of works.

The chief secretary was informed that Shah Waliullah Road (from Sohrab Goth to North Karachi), was being constructed at a cost of Rs29 million and 51 per cent work has been completed.

On Rashid Minhas Road (from Sharea Faisal to Drive-in Cinema), 60 per cent work has been completed.

Senior officials of the city government were also present.—APP