KARACHI, Dec 11: Despite realizing the necessity of means of entertainment at Safari Park, officials of relevant departments of the city government have been perusing the same lethargic policy followed by the defunct KMC in making a headway.

Various departments of the defunct KMC had been citing complications in giving the entertainment projects, proposed for different places of entertainment a practical shape. Such projects include chairlift, wheeler train, paddle boats and AC coaches which are essential for an amusement park meant for millions of Karachiites.

The need for adequate entertainment facilities was strong felt in the wake of a limited number of other such places and most of them, too, being unadvisable for families on holidays because of overcrowding. Rowdy and unruly youths, who concentrate on specific places of amusement like zoo, Clifton and Hill Park, are an additional nuisance for families seeking a peaceful and trouble-free outing.

The Nazim of Karachi, Naimatullah Khan, taking keen interest in promoting healthy and exciting picnic for Karachiites, had recently directed the concerned department to advertize nine different projects without calling public objection. However, his directives have not yet been complied with. Six of the nine projects are meant for Safari park whereas the only revenue generation project is wheeler train proposed for Karachi Zoo.

Except for the chairlift, the projects like paddle boats and AC coaches for Safari Park do not need any technical evaluation or expert opinion. There is no understandable hitch that has prevented a final approval for such projects for years.

The proposal of the chairlift and wheeler train for Safari park was presented in mid-90s when Anzar Zaidi was administrator of the defunct KMC. The projects were highly appreciated by him and placed for council resolution. However, they could not move further after his removal from the post.

Again in present days, the directives of the city Nazim to advertise for the auctioneering of the projects have been flouted and the EDO of Community Development department resorted to call expression of interest from different parties instead of seeking direct auctioneering.

It may be mentioned here that chairlift and wheeler train projects have also been listed in the brochure circulated by the Investment Promotion Department of the city government.

The brochure highlights 407-acre Safari Park, having more than 650 exotic and local animals, as potential site for foreign or local investment.

According to an official of the park, an average one million picnickers frequent Safari Park annually despite the fact that only a small portion of the park in presently open to the pubic.

The brochure puts the estimated cost of chairlift installation at Rs15 million and that of the wheeler train at Rs10 million.

Though, only these two projects are enough to attract the target fixed for the required earnings and to ensure proper and satisfactory entertainment service to the public, the concerned authorities seem lacking interest in moving ahead thus wasting years of hectic efforts by the efficient and sensible people.

Karachi Zoo, Safari Park and Landhi-Korangi Zoo have been placed under the direct control of the DCO recently and one of the project files, concerning revenue targets, had been sent to the EDO (Finance and Planning) by the EDO (Community Development) just before the change of authority.—PPI