LARKANA, Dec 2: Plans are underway to transform Larkana into a modern city and the district government in this regard has identified and recommended more than 1,700 acres on Airport Road for the construction of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SBBMU), Industrial Estate and campus of Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (Quest) Nawabshah.

Abdul Aleem Lashari, District Coordination Officer (DCO), Larkana disclosed to Dawn on Thursday that the Sindh Board of Revenue went through the proposal and has send the summery to Chief Minister for final approval. He hoped of getting it approved before Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary.

Some 500 acres would go free of cost for setting up of an industrial estate, while the SBBMU Larkana and the Quest Nawabshah would pay 50 per cent and 25 per cent cost of land, respectively to the Forest Department which owns the property, said the DCO.

More than one hundred thousand neem trees would be planted in the district on President’s directive with the cost of some Rs40 million, he said and added that it was being with the object of making the atmosphere environment-friendly and green, besides enhancing the beauty of place.

The National Highway Authority has agreed to construct one kilometre dual carriageways and modern lighting system on all five entry points of the city after holding a marathon meeting with its General Manager Nazeer Bhayo on Wednesday.

However, the only left-out Bakrani Road along with the sewerage system would be carpeted with the asphalt technology within two months by utilising from the balance amount of Rs600 million lying with the NHA, said the DCO. The NHA has also been tasked to fix cat-eye and land markings on inter-city roads, built so-far, by the set date.

The district government would install close-circuit cameras in Larkana at vital points for monitoring law and order situation and unruly traffic, while traffic police would soon be provided with a fork lifter.