KARACHI, Jan 14: The Karachi Port Trust has approved an underpass project for Lea Market area which will facilitate residents of both Lyari and Saddar towns.

This was stated by the acting nazim of Lyari Town, Mehmood Hashim, on Wednesday. He said the KPT approved the project on a directive of the Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, Nabeel Ahmed Gabol, adding that the government had approved a development package of Rs3 billion for Lyari some nine months ago.

When Mr Gabol assumed the charge of his ministry, he ordered the KPT to construct the underpass with its funds in Lea Market area where citizens suffered massive traffic problems, Mr Hashim said, adding that the City District Government Karachi had also completed its survey to construct a flyover in Lyari with funds provided by the provincial government.

Mr Hashim elaborated that Rs1.60 billion from the Lyari development package would go to water and sewerage schemes. In this regard, he said that two tenders had already been approved while another would be invited on Jan 21. He said Rs400 million was earmarked for the construction of 16 roads in the town, while work on eight of them has already been started.

He said that Rs220 million had been allocated for installation of floodlights in Lyari Stadium, lights in sports grounds and along different roads and streets. Half of the funds for Lyari’s development would be provided by the Sindh government, he said, adding that the ministry of ports and shipping was providing Rs30 million for uplift of roads in the town.

He said that schools, polytechnic institutes, law college, gymnasium, girls college, auditorium, computer institute, library, boxing club and cultural academy were part of the development package.—PPI