An update report on major projects and development initiatives in various stages of planning and execution in Karachi, prepared by the Urban Resource Centre (URC) , demonstrates one common thread that runs through all such endeavours/projects, is the lack of transparency and concealing of information of vital public interest.

These projects relate to upgrading the sewerage system of the city, inputs focusing on transport and traffic management, Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Northern Bypass, Lyari Expressway and its consequential resettlement; solid waste management and revitalization of city centre of Karachi.

The key issues researched and monitored by the URC are presented in its six-monthly report (July-December 2004). In the sewerage sector, considerable importance is being given to proposals for treating common effluents and hazardous waste.

Asian Development Bank (ADB), under its 'industrial environmental management' folio, has been preparing projects through its own set of consultants in a non-transparent manner.

Attempts by several professionals to obtain information on the project for sharing with the public were turned down by ADB. Later, around March 2004, URC was able to access some documents to understand the situation. Research and informed opinion building is being done to examine whether the said projects would really help the textile industries of the city.

It may be worth while to note that ADB had planned to fund a faulty US$ 70 million waste water treatment project in Korangi during late 1990s. After collective efforts and scientific examination of the project by the informed citizens, research institutions and other professional groups, the project was found to be ultra-expensive and technically inappropriate.

At the intervention of Sindh Governor, the project was stopped from implementation. An alternative plan such as Orangi Pilot Project is being incrementally implemented with local resources by the City District Government.

In another reference, it was learned that ADB-along with few other donor institutions - has offered a loan of US $ 800 million for rehabilitation of infrastructure and services in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar under the auspices of mega city renewal programme (MCRP).

From the available information related to the assignment, it was found that the project is not different from the previously instituted donor funded development projects. Researches have revealed many factors that led to ineffectiveness of such mega projects. The baseline documentation of facts and prevailing situation is not appropriately done in most of such projects.

Due to imposition of conditions to hire international consultants or contractors, the cost factor rises considerably. At times, unnecessary raising of execution standards also elevates the cost.

Planning, design and adjustment of these projects is done in a non-transparent manner. Consultations with the concerned stakeholders is seldom undertaken. Information is jealously guarded.

Other available viable options are seldom considered or adopted. Internal audit reports of the ADB have recognised that only about one- third of its funded projects could be regarded as successful. The others were a complete or partial failure.

High-ups in the government have been stressing for the early completion of Lyari Expressway (LEW) - a controversial project. According to the briefings given to Sindh Minister for Transport, 15-20 per cent work on the project is completed so far.

Despite the unchanged resolve of the government to go ahead with the project, concerns raised against its implementation remain un addressed. Initially, the LEW was to take up traffic load of freight/goods transport.

Recently, it was announced by CDGK that heavy traffic shall be facilitated through Northern Bypass. What purpose will the LEW serve is not clear since the other types of traffic is scarce on this corridor. The final design is not yet made public.

More and more interchanges are being contemplated for addition to the design of LEW which may not be conducive to the sustainable land use in respective areas. The project has given rise to a massive and ruthless process of displacement and re-settlement which lie unattended to a great extent.

Whereas re-settlement seems to be taking place in new locations of Hawkesbay Town and Taiser Town, the credibility of the process is any thing but transparent. Genuine owners of houses - who lost their properties in the wake of compulsory demolitions - are still running from pillar to post to obtain a parcel of land and agreed monetary compensation.

A list of actual affectees compiled by URC after a field survey which is far larger in number and different from those who benefited from official land doles. Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) has been planned to start its pilot service from March 01. This much needed mode of transport shall need time to be incorporated in the complex transport system.

The URC has also been monitoring evictions of various kinds since 1992. Since that time, 19,405 houses in Karachi have been demolished displacing 157,011 people. Most of these demolitions were carried out by different civic agencies on dubious grounds.

Some recent demolitions/evictions documented by the NGO in 2004 include 111 houses in Mehran Goth; 25 houses in Faqir Goth, Gadap Town; 40 houses in Shah Rasool Colony in Clifton; 36 houses in Muwach Goth; 200 houses in Malir Town; 350 houses in Anwar Shah Goth, North Karachi; 12 houses in Mahajir Goth Kemari Town and 130 houses in New Karachi.

Road widening schemes, reclamation of land for any kind of enterprise, allegations of encroachment and land sales to builders were some common reasons. Besides, huts have been set on fire in mysterious circumstances.

Gutted from fire in 2004 were: 22 huts in Altaf Nagar, Korangi, 30 huts in Shanti Nagar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, 01 hut in Bhutta Village and 30 huts in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Two young children were burnt alive while several were injured. All the poor families lost their daily household articles - a colossal loss for the already down trodden.

The development scene presents a disfigured scenario on many counts. The government seems to be bent in favour of high cost mega projects only. Realistic feasibility of such projects is seldom worked out.

The element of social justice is conveniently ignored especially to the disadvantage of the already deprived population. It may be noted that by increasing the ranks of angry masses, sustainable growth in business and commercial enterprises will never be achieved. It will always remain a contentious matter where the deprived shall find themselves at logger heads with the other stakeholders.

It should be in the interest of the city and its business and commercial growth that drastic actions are avoided. Transparency must be adopted in all the measures with respect to planning and development decisions. Unless the governmental institutions are made to adopt a transparent approach, little improvement can be anticipated in the city.