KARACHI, June 23: The Sindh Assembly was informed on Thursday that an underground car park had been planned at Baradari in Bagh-i-Jinnah in view of serious parking problems of this sprawling city.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Khan Durrani while replying to a query of legislator Arif Mustafa Jatoi during the question hour.

The minister said that the underground car park with a capacity for 600 cars would be constructed at Baradari on Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road.

He added that there should be a parking space in every building but this law was being flouted. “This [implementation of relevant laws] requires a change of culture and mindset,” he remarked.

The minister agreed that the CDGK earned income from charged parking sources. However, he said, that the rates were not high, considering the dearth of parking space in the city. Currently, he said, parking charges were being collected at 10 sites in the city. They were Hyderi Market (Nazimabad), Hill Park (Jamshed Town), Zoo (Gandhi Garden), Crystal Court (Clifton), Sindbad (Nipa), Clifton Centre (Clifton), Faizi Rehimeen Art Gallary (Arts Council) and Bagh-i-Jinnah Baradari (Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road).

He stated that Rs10 and Rs5 were being collected at all these locations, except the Faize Rehimeen Art Gallery, for car and motorcycle parking, respectively. He added that Rs20 was charged for car parking while no charges were levied on motorcycle parking at the art gallery parking space.

The local government minister said the city government had planned to build car parking plazas in Saddar and Lines Area. The parking plaza near Saddar Dawakhana would have space for 710 cars, 300 motorcycles and 160 shops and the parking plaza at Shahabuddin market would have a capacity for 1,980 cars, 500 motorcycles and 289 shops, he added.

Replying to a question regarding collection of certain charges from the visitors of Bagh-i-Quaid-i-Azam, Mr Durrani said that nominal charges were approved by the Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Board for the maintenance of the park and mausoleum.

In response to a query asked by Mr Jatoi, the minister informed the house that Zila Mushawarat Committees, which had been established in all districts under Section 140 of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001 (SLGO-2001), were holding regular meetings.

He said that the local government system was an essential part of a democratic dispensation as under this system basic facilities had been provided to people at the grassroots level.

He said the decision to hold the local government elections would be taken with the consent of coalition partners after necessary amendments in the existing local government law.

Replying to a question of lawmaker Syeda Marvi Rashdi, Mr Durrani said the CDGK was providing free-of-cost medical treatment to tuberculosis patients at its 64 diagnostic and 271 treatment centres with the cooperation of the private sector.

In reply to another question, the local government minister said that killing of stray dogs was a regular exercise, which was being carried out in all towns. He said it was monitored by the CDGK on a regular basis.