Daily Times

The groundbreaking ceremony of a Karachi Package worth Rs21.92 billion, funded by the federal government, is likely to take place in September 2018, Mayor Waseem Akhtar said on Monday.

Under the package, three flyovers will be constructed in Karachi’s Central district and two roads, one each in East (from Nisthar Road to Pan Mandi) and South (from Manghopir Mazar to Love Lane Bridge) districts will be constructed in the city.

Talking to Daily Times, the mayor said that work order had already been issued for the projects, adding that paperwork and other formalities will be finalised within two weeks.

“Imran Khan is the first Prime Minister who has recognised the problems of Karachi. We are hopeful that he will take steps for Karachi’s welfare,” he said. According to the package’s budgetary allocations, Rs875 million will be spent on the construction of a flyover at Sakhi Hasan, Rs890 million on the flyover at Five Star Chowrangi, Rs910 million on a flyover at KDA Chowrangi, Rs580 million on rehabilitation of Manghopir Road from Banaras Chowk to Love Lane Bridge and around Rs680 million on Nishtar Road.

Akhtar said that the survey, weight tests and other documentations are nearing completion.

Officials of executing agency Karachi Infrastructure Development Company were hopeful that all projects under the package would be completed by March 2019. In addition, after a re-tendering process, procurement of 50 fire tenders and five snorkels besides other civic-purpose machinery costing Rs1.7 billion will also be undertaken as part of the federal package. Nisar Sario, the KIDC project manager, said paperwork for the purpose would be finalised by the end of September.

He added that another 50 fire tenders and five snorkels would be purchased in the ongoing fiscal year. These would cost Rs2 billion, he maintained.

The officer said that Karachi was in need of 230 fire stations, whereas only 22 were available at the moment. He said 49 vehicles, including two snorkels and 26 ire tenders were undergoing repairs at the moment. These projects were approved by the former federal government headed by Nawaz Sharif after the sanctions of the executive committee of the National Economic Council.

Published in Daily Times, August 22^nd 2018.