KARACHI, Jan 31: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has directed that the residential schemes, which have been in pending for many years, should be activated.

Addressing a high-level meeting at the Governor’s House, he said that on the pattern of Taiser Town, a scheme for the construction of houses should also be initiated. Besides, matters pertaining to restoration of Surjani Town and provision of civic facilities in different areas were taken up at the meeting.

He said that a separate project director for Surjani Town should be appointed and a clear time frame be chalked out for completion of the project. He also instructed the officials concerned that the road connecting Gulshan-i-Maymar, Industrial Area and Northern Bypass to Surjani Town be completed immediately.

Expressing concern at the rising water table in North Karachi and adjoining areas, he said that immediate steps should be taken in this regard and consultancy be also carried out. He directed that work on water reservoir of 200,000 gallon for North Karachi and Surjani Town be taken up immediately.

The officials concerned assured that the task would be completed within a year.

The governor directed that work for the provision of electricity and gas to 350 villages of Gadap Town be taken up on priority basis.

Ishratul Ibad said that all schemes of water, electricity and roads be completed at the earliest on priority basis.

About the master plan for either side of the Northern Bypass, it was informed that the survey had been completed of the land on both sides of the Northern Bypass.

Provincial Planning and Development Minister Shoaib Bukhari, Sindh Local Government Adviser Wasim Akhtar, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal and others attended the meeting.

I.I. Chundrigar Road: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to set a time frame for the completion of various tasks for modernizing and beautification of I.I. Chundrigar Road on the pattern of other famous business streets in the world.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting which reviewed the progress of I.I. Chundrigar Road beautification plan at the Governor’s House. City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Secretary Local Government Ishaq Lashari, DCO Fazlur Rehman, Chairman of Pakistan Bank Association Shaukat Tareen, and Yasmeen Lari also attended the meeting.

The governor also asked them to appoint a project director and said that this major business street should have resemblance with the leading business streets of the world.

Shaukat Tareen informed the meeting that the banks, financial institutions and leading business houses and organizations located at I.I. Chundrigar Road have so far provided Rs162 million for the renovation and beautification of this famous business street.

It may be noted that the banks, DFIs, other organizations and leading business houses had pledged to mobilize funds for this project on appeal of the governor.

The project is aimed at the face lifting of exterior of buildings on either side of I.I. Chundrigar Road, ensuring smooth flow of traffic, improvement of water, sewerage and electric supply system and cleanliness of the street.

City Nazim said that the total cost of the project was Rs220 million. The meeting was told that 30 per cent work on sewerage system while 25 per cent of the water supply scheme work for this road had been completed. Water Board officials said that this work would be completed by the end of next month.

It was pointed out that face lifting of buildings had already begun while the routes for public transport were being redefined. Shuttle service from Shaheen Complex to Mereweather Tower would be run to facilitate commuters.

DIG Traffic Falak Khursheed pointed out that the re-routing work of public transport would be completed by Feb 15. —APP