KARACHI, Sept 21: An amount of Rs35 million has been paid to the victims of Lyari Expressway as compensation.

This was stated at a presentation made to President General Pervez Musharraf by the officials of the planning and development department and others during his recent visit to the city.

The provincial government, it was informed, received Rs300 million from Islamabad for rehabilitation of the affectees, out of which, Rs35 million were paid to the victims.

The government has earmarked Rs2871.652 million for the resettlement of those affected by the project and Rs5010 million for the road project. The total cost of the project has been estimated to be Rs7881,652 million.

Under the resettlement process, the matter relating to the shifting of three mosques has been resolved, while negotiations are in progress for the remaining; cash compensation of Rs50,000 and a plot of 80 square-yards to the 594 victims (per household) is also being given, 1.2km link road is under the rehabilitation process and temporary water arrangements are being made in Hawkesbay resettlement colony.

Besides construction of roads, both on left and right banks of the Lyari river, work is in progress for the establishment of flyovers at Shershah, Mewashah, and Dhobi Gath.

The execution period of the Lyari Expressway project is 36 months.—APP