By Abdul Razzak Shaikh,
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has embarked upon the third phase of reconstruction of Karachi, particularly of backward and industrial areas like Lyari, Korangi, Korangi Industrial area where around Rs4 billion development schemes have been launched which he visited and on the last leg of his visit, he played cricket at Kikri Ground, Lyari.
On last Sunday morning the chief minister along with Local Bodies Minister Saeed Ghani, Advisor on Information Murtaza Wahab, project Director Karachi Package and other concerned officers visited different localities where development works were either in progress. The Chief Minister visited started his visit from Shaheed-e-Millat Road where two underpasses were being constructed.
The first underpass was at Hyder Ali Chowrangi along Shahee-de-Millat Road is being constructed for Rs658.188 million. It is445 meter long. It is scheduled to be constructed in six months.
The other underpass is at Tariq Road Chowarngi along Shaheed-e-Millat Road. Its construction cost is RS524.258 million and its length is 545 meters. Both the underpass is scheduled to be completed within six months but the chief minister directed PD of the project to complete them within four months.
He also directed DIG traffic to make necessary traffic arrangements because the area would be closed for construction of underpasses.
After Shaheed Millat Road, the chief minister went to Korangi Industrial area where a road construction from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Dawood Chowrangi was started.
This road is known as 8000 road. Work on this nine-kilometer road was started today with a cost of Rs1.2 billion.
Under the scheme water supply line from track portion to the central median right from Murtaza Chowarngi to Future Chowarngi Mor would be shifted.
The chief minister directed the PD Karachi package to construct damaged portions of stormwater drain and cleanse completely.
Mr. Shah told the PD Karachi package that BRT Yellow Line project would be established with the support of World Bank on the 8000 road, therefore reconstructions of the road should be made accordingly.
From Industrial area, the chief minister went to Korangi areas and visited 12000 roads where intersection bridge at Korangi No.5 was being constructed.
The bridge project would be completed for Rs330.429 million within six months. The bridge would be 460-meter long.
The chief minister told the PD Niaz Soomro that high tension overhead cables were passing through the intersection bridge area. Therefore their shifting or alternate arrangement may be made.
The chief minister, after reviewing Korangi-5 bridge visited Korangi No.2.5 overhead bridge which is being constructed for Rs330.429 million. It would have an 8.3-meter carriage way and it would be 460 meters long.
Mr. Shah, latter moved to Lyari where he visited under construction roads surrounding to Lee Market. These roads would be 14.64 km long. The cost of the project is 454.2 million. The entire area would also be illuminated through high mas lighting towers at designated places.
These roads are 1.63 km, Shah Wali Ullah Road for Rs 14 million, 2.51 km Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road for Rs15 million, 1.13 km PICHAR Road for Rs11 million, 0.34 km Mohammad Ali Alvi The road for Rs13 million, 1.37 km Mohammad Shah road for Rs16 million, 1.36 km Siddique Wahab Road for Rs15 million, 1.54 km Napear Raod for Rs17 million, 1.8km Nawab Mahbat Khanji Road for 14 million, 0.59 km Sheedi Village Road for Rs13 million, 02 km Old Dhobighat Road for Rs12 million, 0.15 km Bhimpura Road for Rs13 million and 2km Chakiwara road for Rs15 million.
In Lyari, Syed Murad Ali Shah concluded his visit at Kikri ground where he played cricket with Jiyalas with slogans of Jeay Bhutto, Jeay Bilawal Bhutto and Jeay Murad Ali Shah.
Talking about development efforts he was making, Mr. Shah said that the provincial government was short of funds but even then the uplift and reconstruction of the city would not be stopped.
I have visited all the schemes we have launched and Inshallah all would be completed within four months.
The interest of Chief Minister Sindh towards the biggest city will definitely beneficial for the public and for his party, though the water issue still persists in many areas of Karachi and that should need full attention from CM Sindh.