KARACHI, Feb 4: Work will be immediately taken in hand to develop Gatter Baghicha into a central park of the city.

The decision was taken at a meeting of senior officers of concerned departments with DCO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha in the chair on Tuesday.

It was decided that coordinated efforts would be made by the parks and revenue department of the city government and the agriculture department of the provincial government.

All possible recreational facilities would be provided in the proposed park, making it a model of beauty and greenery.

The meeting set up a committee, headed by EDO (revenue) Javed Hanif, to immediately begin the work under a well-conceived plan and to complete it under his supervision.

The committee will comprise representatives of Site Town, city and the provincial governments as well as senior officials of concerned departments.

The name of the park, after its development, would be decided with citizens’ opinion. The surroundings and adjoining areas of the park would also be beautified.

The meeting criticized the delay in the implementation of a decision on the shifting of the hydrant.

It was decided that until the hydrant was shifted, the city government would be paid a share of income from the hydrant so as to compensate the damage being caused to roads. The amount would be used to run the area school and meet its financial requirements.

The DCO pointed out that parks, schools and the industry enjoyed a national and social significance. However, there was a need for taking preferential steps for shifting the hydrant which was located in the residential area and was also affecting the park project.

MD Site Hashim Raza, EDO (revenue) Javed Hanif, EDO (education) Rais Alvi and representatives of industrialists attended the meeting.—APP