Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the overall trends of development spending in last six years, 2013-14 to 2018-19 revealed that total expenditures incurred were Rs495.04 billion, out of which Rs120.30 billion were incurred for development projects of Karachi.
He said this while presiding over a preparatory meeting for an expected heavy downpour in the coastal area of the province here on Wednesday at CM House. He also disclosed the total spending on development works in the city during the last six years.
The meeting was attended by Minister Local Government Syed Nasir Shah, Advisor to CM Murtaza Wahab, acting chief Secretary Mohammad Waseem, Chairperson P&D Nahid Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Jamal Abro, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shahalwani, Secretary Local Government Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Transport Abbas Detho and other concerned officers.
Mr Shah also said that water and sanitation projects hold central importance for his government in terms of prioritised investment areas of the city. He added that during the last six years Rs69.27 billion allocation was directed towards the water and sanitation sector of the city. “Expenditures of Rs24.65 billion have been incurred to complete 77 water and sanitation schemes in the city,” he said.
Talking about priority sectors for the development of city, he said that he initiated 40 mega projects of construction and improvement of road network, bridges, underpasses, up-gradation of filter plants, pumping stations and construction of stormwater Darin’s. He added that 20 mega schemes having a cost of Rs15.33 billion have been completed till date and 20 schemes costing Rs12.474 billion are included in ADP 2019-20,” he said.
He said that the cumulative ADP allocation for education sector from 2013-14 to 2018-19 was Rs19.16 billion. During the said period Rs10.27 billion expenditures have been incurred to complete 75 schemes pertaining to the education sector in Karachi.
He also disclosed that he has allocated Rs62.034 billion in 2019-20 for the portfolio of 449 development schemes of Karachi having a total cost of Rs239.158 billion.
Another rain spell
The chief minister directed Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah to alert local bodies staff in the forthcoming rainfall as predicted by the Met office. “Mostly the coastal belt of Karachi, Thatta, Badin and some parts of Hyderabad would be affected, therefore KMC, DMCs, water board, deputy commissioners concerned, HDA, HMC, WASA must be activated,” he said.
He directed the local government department to activate local bodies in Thatta and Badin where Disaster Management Authority would also help them in case of a heavy downpour. He directed both the commissioners, Karachi and Hyderabad to activate concerned deputy commissioners to help people and support the disposal of rainwater. “ I want you to focus on low lying areas where rainwater accumulates when heavy rains are received,” he said and added suction machines must be installed there and drainage system also to be made clear for smooth flow of water.
Mr Shah observed that during the last week rains the local bodies’ officials, water board and deputy commissioners and their supporting staff remained busy in cleaning the city and supporting the people. “This time I want a similar spirit and vigour for helping people,” he said.
Mr Shah directed LG Minister Syed Nasir Shah to prepare a contingency plan for disposal of rainwater, opening of manholes, opening of choking points of stormwater drains and necessary arrangements must be made for diesel generators for suction machines,” he said.
The Local Government Minister said that an emergency cell has been set up which would monitor the situation. “I would be visiting the cities which would receive heavy rains,” he said.
After the meeting, the chief minister left for Hyderabad to visit disposal of rainwater of the last heavy downpour. He was accompanied by Provincial ministers, Nasir Shah, Shabir Bijarani and Qasim Naveed.