KARACHI, June 27: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has underscored the need to bridge gap between regularized localities and urban slums in the city and reiterated that the city government was committed to initiate development projects in slum areas.
Addressing a press conference at Civic Centre here on Sunday, the nazim sought amalgamation of Sindh Kutchi Abadis Department into the city government. He said that projects worth one billion rupees would be commenced in kutchi abadis and sub-urban and peripheral areas of the city.
Naimatullah Khan, flanked by EDO Finance Iqbal Ahsan Zaidi, EDO Works and Services Shoaib Siddiqui and other officials, also referred to the establishment of pollution control department under the jurisdiction of city district government.
Mentioning that the city government has worked on a special park development project under which 200 parks across the city were reclaimed and improved, he said that the development of a model park in every town was also part of the scheme and at the moment work was underway on 11 such parks.
To contain atmospheric pollution, he said that more CNG buses would be plied in the city and termini would be constructed for inter-city buses at National Highway, Super Highway and RCD Highway.
He regretted that corruption had gained deep roots in all spheres of life. However, the city government attempting to contain the same had constituted a vigilance committee, which would investigate reported instances of misappropriation in public institutions working under town and union councils.
Naimatullah Khan also mentioned that a central inquiry committee would also be constituted comprising officials and public representative of sound reputation who would investigate and recommend necessary action on basis of complaints made by public.
"Karachi is an ideal place for products projection through advertisements," he said and pointed out that the city government for the very purpose had adopted a transparent policy for auction of sites for outdoor hoarding. In this regard, he said that the site would be sold to the highest bidder and no unethical pressure would be tolerated.
City Nazim expressed hope that the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme would improve the infrastructure status and civic facilities in the city adding that construction of flyovers and thoroughfares would be a move towards a major progress in the country's history.
He said that mega projects like Lyari Expressway, Northern Bypass and K-III water supply scheme had provided employment to around 32,000 people. Besides, he said that for the low-cost housing schemes the city government had allocated Rs50 million in the recently announced budget.
About charged parking, Naimatullah Khan said that boards and signs would be properly displayed at the sites reserved and nobody would be allowed to harass people.
When asked about the law and order situation, he said that this did not come under city government's purview while the police were also not answerable to the city government.
SAFARI TRAIN: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan inaugurated wheeler train at Safari Park and took a ride in the train along with newsmen and some city government officials on Sunday.
He said that the wheeler train would help the visitors to view all the entertainment spots of the park and added that 250- acre area of Safari Park had been opened for public that had been lying closed for the past many years.
He said that natural sceneries, a beautiful lake and hundreds of birds were kept in the area.
Naimatullah Khan pointed out that feasibility for the installation of chair lift in the Safari Park was also being reviewed so that visitors could see 1,407-acre park in a limited time and enjoy the natural sceneries.
On the occasion, he announced that the city government would make all out efforts to beautify it and provide all facilities.-APP/PPI