KARACHI, Jan 31: At least five of the 21 parks developed by the city government under its ambitious plan of turning the metropolis into a ‘city of parks and gardens’ are facing decay because these are not being formally opened by the municipal hierarchy, sources told Dawn.
The CDGK had allocated Rs766.64 million about two years back for the plan. Work on all these proposed park sites had been started in the middle of last year. The plan envisages13 model parks, besides six big parks.
Among the parks already completed are the Baldia Town Park (six acres), Khwaja Nazimuddin Park, Nanakwara (six acres), ST-15 Clifton (seven acres), Gadap Town Park (four acres) and TPX Park, Lyari (1.5 acres), according to sources, who revealed that Rs77 million had been spent on their development but these could not have been opened to public despite the passage of considerable time. Those at the helm of the affair had not even fixed a date for the formal inauguration of the parks, they pointed out.
The sources recalled that the plan to develop 21 parks was approved during the tenure of former city nazim Niamatullah Khan. The former city government had developed 10 model parks in different towns.
The incumbent city government led by Syed Mustafa Kamal retained the policy of developing recreational spots, including parks, for citizens.
Stakeholders and citizens have repeatedly approached the CDGK leadership for the inauguration of the parks, apprehending that the unnecessary delay in dedicating the facilities to general public could result in damage to the development already completed. However, a decision in this regard is yet to be taken.
The sources said that there were many other parks in Orangi, Keamari, Lyari, North Nazimabad, Mehmoodabad, Jamshed Town and Bin Qasim Town, as well as one park/playground near Chawla Market and two parks in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, were also near completion but further development at these sites had been suspended for want of funds.
The officials concerned were in constant contact with the relevant authorities for the release funds to get these schemes completed in a minimum possible time. It was also feared that the contractors engaged for the schemes might back out after getting frustrated by the delay being caused.
In such a case, the sources pointed out, the development cost would go up, causing additional financial burden on the city government.
Among the ‘mega projects’ envisaged under the plan are Beach Park (Phase Two), Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim, Gutter Baghicha Park, Boat Basin Park, Fateh Bagh (North Nazimabad), Aziz Bhatti Park and Korangi Model Park. Most of these projects are also in their final phase of completion. However, some of them need immediate release of funds for further development and timely inauguration.