KARACHI, Dec 23: A portion of Liaquat Flyover has developed a depression, causing heavy jerks to motorists, besides creating a sense of fear among drivers.
The flyover, which took over nine years to complete, had developed a crack about six months back, reportedly owing to the sub-standard concrete used in its slabs by the construction company concerned.
Sindh chief minister's adviser on Local Government Wasim Akhtar, who visited the flyover on Thursday, directed the city government's works and services department to immediately repair the affected portion.
He also formed a committee for preparing a detailed report on the Liaquat Flyover project within three days. The committee, headed by the EDO (Works and Services), Shoaib Siddiqui, has also been assigned the task of conducting a survey of all the flyovers and roads in the city to check whether the material used in their construction was up to the mark or not.
He also asked the committee to furnish all those reports prepared by the city government's committee formed by the city nazim, when the flyover had earlier developed cracks, asking that why the firm which had built the flyover was made payments without undertaking inspection of the construction.
He said that decision regarding action against the persons responsible for flaws in the construction of the flyover would be taken after receiving the findings of the report.
The adviser also asked the CDGK's works and services department to repair another portion of the flyover, which had been damaged badly. Briefing the adviser about the damaged portion of the flyover, EDO Mr Siddiqui said that the portion of the flyover was a part of Karimabad's old bridge, which was included in the flyover after filling earth under it.
The old Karimabad bridge was built by the Mehran Construction Company, while the flyover was constructed by Ms National Construction, he said, adding that the damaged portion would be restored after filling in earth and undertaking fresh carpeting of the upper layers of the flyover.
Talking to newsmen on the occasion, the adviser said that the federal and provincial governments, including the chief minister and ministers concerned had an important role in execution of various development projects in the city, alleging that City Nazim Niamatullah Khan, by inaugurating different schemes and installing felicitating banners, was actually working on his election campaign.
Mr Akhtar said that the nation's money should have been spent on the provision of basic facilities to the masses, but on the contrary, the city government authorities gave contracts to their favourite people, resulting in sub-standard work and extra cost.