The much-cherished proposed DHA City Karachi (DCK) would be free from congestion, street crimes and load shedding. The mega project, which envisages a total investment of $3 billion by the year 2030, would be made livable by 2015. From 2015, the owners of plots would be able to start construction and reside there with all kinds of basic facilities.
This was highlighted at the ground-breaking ceremony of DCK on Wednesday. Commander 5 Corps Lt-General Muhammad Zahirul Islam unmasked the plague that heralded the start of project’s development activities physically on ground.
DCK, an otherwise a forlorn and barren piece of land located on the eastern horizon of Karachi suddenly turned into a hub of intensive construction and development activities a number of dozers, rollers, tractors and other engineering equipment started functioning signifying the start of the fast track development of the new housing scheme.
The corps commander termed the occasion as historic and commended the DHA for proving itself as a trendsetter in the field of housing and development. He said that with initiation of DCK project, a number of business and economic opportunities would be generated which would give a significant boost to the local economy.
He said the DCK project has tremendous potential and people expect the DHA to translate the conceptual idea of a contemporary city into a reality within the stipulated time frame. He asked the DHA to develop the premium scheme on sound footings as per the contemporary engineering and construction practices and at a fast pace.
DHA Administrator Brig Aamer Raza Qureshi said that the authority has ensured the ground-breaking of the project strictly on schedule, thus setting the pace for speedy development of the first planned, sustainable and green city of Pakistan. He said the DCK is a complete road map to a modern housing enterprise that would guarantee the best civic amenities and a dynamic living environment for its residents.
Qureshi said work on the construction of the DCK boundary wall, entrance gate, security towers, arterial roads, composite offices/accommodation complex, DCK Information Centre and host of other projects costing Rs 1 billion under the immediate development plan were starting forthwith and would be completed in twelve months to make the DCK site fully operational. He said between three and five MGD water would be made available through the ongoing underground water exploration which would be sufficient to meet the requirement of the area for the next eight years up till 2020.
The administrator said a significant feature of the DCK project was the unique security of the township with two-tier physical security in form of outer and sector boundary walls in addition to a full electronic surveillance of the entire DCK area.
DCK Project Director Brig (retd) M Rafique said the development of the project would be closely monitored on ground by a DCK engineer and consultant team at each stage of development to ensure speedy development of the scheme on professional lines. He said top-of-the line contractors of the country are involved in the development of the project and added that development of a theme park and outlet mall would start simultaneously to make the DCK site an attractive place for visitors.
Chief Project Consultant Engineer Arif Osmani said work on the development of five residential sectors under the short-term development plan was starting paradoxically that would be completed in around three to four years to make DCK a livable entity by 2015-16. The project includes development of road and infrastructure works along with amenities such as schools, markets, parks, healthcare facilities, etc apart from construction of town houses in the first sector so that the plot owners comfortably start constructing their houses in the beautiful, picturesque and serene setting of the DCK.
