KARACHI: The completion of Provincial-District Development funded N-5, five kilometers dual road project from Star Gate to Quaidabad has been in jeopardy on more than one count, officials of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) revealed. The officials have informed that due to non availability of funds from Local Government Department (LGD) on revised plan from project executor KMC on additional segments in construction and stoppage of work on sewerage line and linking it with rainwater storm on Malir River by Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) were major bottleneck. No work on the project has been undertaken since last four months which could increase further cost of the project, they maintained. The initial total cost of the project was Rs 780 million each on the dual roads and other civic services but after undertaking additional work of sewerage line, footpaths, rainwater storm and roadside path work estimated cost has already been enhanced further Rs 700 million, officials have opined. The deficit in initial cost estimates would need additional funds equivalent to Rs 700 million, they added. In this connection, Waseem Akhtar, Mayor Karachi has said that construction of damaged sewerage line from Kala Board to Malir 15 has been delayed on non-responsive attitude of LGD on revised PC-I already submitted by KWSB. Waseem has revealed that 80 percent work on hydro course, 30 percent on bearing course, 85 percent on rainwater storm, 90 percent on New Jersey barriers and 80 percent work on footpaths have been completed. While, building of 10 percent of road work on portion of Kala Board and Malir 15 has been stopped due to non availability of funds besides delayed sewerage assignment on the same track, Waseem lamented. He was of the view if LGD would release funds for this segment of project, KMC would complete the job. Meanwhile, an official of LGD has claimed that department has already released entire amount of project and there was no allocation of funds in budget for fresh PC-I submitted by KWSB. Funds can not be released for fresh PC-I without sanctioning by Niaz Soomro, Special Secretary on Development, he has informed. Shahab Anwer, Director General Engineering Department KMC has said that KMC has submitted report on the project after an enquiry conducted by LGD officials on utilisation of funds. Muhammad Saleem, a constructor on one of the road segments has said that we would restart work on their subdivision immediate after release of funds to them. Published in Daily Times, September 23rd 2017.