KARACHI: With an aim to facilitate the citizens, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah announced on Friday that at least 300 shuttle buses would be hired to transport people from different areas of the city to the National Stadium on occasion of the final match Pakistan Super League (PSL) to be held at on March 25, 2018. He said that the buses would be hired for two days while also directed the administration to get the services of 200 scouts from Sindh Boys Scouts Association.
The announcement was made while the CM was presiding over a meeting to review PSL final match arrangements here at CM House. He directed the administration to start beautification of the city to develop a festive type of atmosphere. “This is the first event and it would be followed by many other international events”, he said.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, Sohail Anwar Siyal, Jam Khan Shoro, Nasir Shah, Sindh Rangers Director General Major General Mohammad Saeed, Inspector General (IG) Police AD Khowaja, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Home Secretary Qazi Shahid, Additional IGs Karachi, Counter Terrorism Department and Special Branch officers, Secretaries of different department, KMC representatives and others.
The chief minister was told that eight parking areas were being developed. They are National Coaching Center for VVIP vehicles, Expo Center for VIP vehicles, Gharib Nawaz Football ground, Hakim Saeed Playground University Road, the open ground near Federal Urdu University, Sunday Bazar ground, KMC sports complex and KDA Club and China Ground Kashmir Road.
Under the arrangements, all the spectators are required to come to parking areas which would have the capacity of 33,000 vehicles. The parking areas would have the facilities of barriers, queue channels and walk through gates; a separate arrangement would be made for females, CCTV cameras, resting area for drivers, public washrooms, tuck shop, medical camp, signage, public address system and proper illumination of the areas. At this, the chief minister directed the administration to install big screens for drivers to watch the match in the parking area.
The chief minister was told that there would be around 6000 motorcycles to be parked in the parking area. They suggested a ban on pillion riding. The chief minister while rejecting the ban on pillion riding said that our youth have the right to celebrate this international event. “They are responsible enough, however, they should be taught a code of conduct through banners, wall posters and media,” he said.
“I want you to facilitate the people properly- this is their event and let them enjoy it and own it,” he said.
The services to be made available at the stadium include mobile hospitals, ambulances, water bowsers, sanitation staff, sanitation vehicles, regulated food and hospitality services and central control room.
A separate plan has also been made for `after the match’. Under the arrangements, the shuttle would be started from the stadium to the parking areas. The chief minister directed the administration to arrange a 30 to 50-minute musical show just after the match so that chaotic situation could be avoided. “In this way, we would be able to engage the crowd through entertainment,” he said.
The chief minister directed Karachi mayor to make the city beautiful through, floodlights, greenery and through other means. “I am ready to provide you necessary funds,” he said and added “I want you [administration] to finalize all the arrangements by March 15 and we would meet here against on next Friday to review final arrangements.
He said that he would visit the stadium to witness the progress on spot. The CM appealed to the media to play a constructive role to improve the image of the city.
