KARACHI: Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has asked the local government department to start work on 14 schemes of the Karachi Package’s phase II from December 15. The cost of the mega schemes has been estimated at Rs8 billion.
The CM issued the directives while presiding over a meeting to review the progress of the Karachi Package’s phase I and fix the deadline for the start of phase II. The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Principal Secretary to the CM Sohail Rajput, Local Government Secretary Ramzan Awan, Karachi Commissioner Ejaz Khan, Karachi Package Project Director Niaz Soomro and others.
The schemes on which work has to start within a month include the road from Tank Chowrangi to the Super Highway via Thadho Nalo, the reconstruction of Tipu Sultan Road from Shara-e-Faisal to Karsaz, construction of bridges at the intersections of Tipu Sultan Road and Khalid Bin Waleed Road with Shaheed-e-Millat Road, widening of Stadium Road and the road at Cantt station. The schemes also include the construction of the bridge over the Korangi Nullah, construction of a bridge at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Gizri Boulevard.
Furthermore, a stormwater drain is to be established at Hassan Square, along with a drain from Star Gate to Chakora Nullah as well as a scheme to improve water supply to Baldia Town.
The CM discussed the schemes with the participants of the meeting and announced December 15 to be the deadline for the work to start.
“I will perform the launching ceremony and will not extend the date,” he informed.
Shah also directed the opening of one way of the Submarine Underpass on December 15, which would also be the day when work would start on the flyover on Sunset Boulevard. He ordered the relevant authorities to finalise alternative routes for the people living near Sunset Boulevard.
The chief minister was also briefed about the progress of the Karachi Package’s phase I during the meeting. He was informed by Shoro that 82% of the work on University Road between NED University of Engineering and Technology and Safoora Goth had been completed.
Shoro informed the meeting that the work on the rehabilitation of Mausamiyat Road had been completed while 96% of the work on the road from Surjani Town to Madinatul Hikmat had been completed. Widening of Sharae Faisal from Metropole to Star Gate had been 83% achieved while the construction of the Drigh Road underpass had been 81% completed.