Slow work on Karachi projects irks CM

The Sindh chief minister expressed his displeasure on Tuesday over the delay in starting work on Karachi’s mega projects for which Rs10 bilion were allocated.

Presiding over a meeting, Murad Ali Shah said the funds were allocated to construct important roads in the city, develop industrial areas, improve of flyovers and repair its drainage system.

The chief minister reviewed the scheme of University Road from Hassan Square to NIPA costing Rs770 million and from NED to Safoora Chowk worth Rs780 million.

He was informed that the tenders for these projects would be published in newspapers within next two days.

The chief minister expressed his dismay and said it should have been done by now.

“The roads are in shambles with potholes on them. Reports of accidents and public inconvenience are increasing,” he said.

When the chief minister asked about the purchase of 100-meter long snorkels for Karachi, he was told that the process was under way.

The chief minister reprimanded the officials concerned for working so slowly and warned them that if they did not complete their tasks on time, they should start looking for other jobs.

Shah was briefed on the reconstruction of Tariq Road. Project director Niaz Soomro said it would be constructed from Shaheed-e-Millat Road to Shahrah-e-Quaideen at a cost of Rs516 million. The chief minister told Soomro to complete the project by January 2018.

The project director briefed the chief minister about the revamping of the Mosmiyat Road from Madaras Chowk to Super Highway at a cost of Rs200 million and said the contractors had been pre-qualified.

The chief minister was informed that the construction of Hub River Road had been approved at a cost of Rs500 million. Its remaining portion from Sher Shah bridge to the Murshid Hospital would be completed by the end of December. Similarly, the revamping of the Surjani to Madinatul Hikmat road will be constructed at a cost Rs750 million. Soomro discussed the construction of a U-turn at Natha Khan bridge at a cost of Rs141 million which would include the building the flyover’s rooftop. Extra land is being acquired from the Pakistan Army for which clearance has been acquired.

The chief minister said he had already approved Rs850 million for the widening of Sharea Faisal on both sides from Metropole to Star Gate.

He directed the project director that a drainage system for the road and ducts for adjusting cables should also be constructed.

He told the project director and the chief secretary Siddique Memon to keep reviewing progress of every scheme. The chief minister was briefed on the remodeling of Baloch Colony flyover for which Rs120 million had been approved.

Some portions of the flyover will be demolished to create an extra lane and a bus stop too will be developed there.

Another scheme costing Rs505 million – the construction of the Drigh Road underpass along Sharea Faisal with the reconstruction of existing right turn, was also discussed.

The chief minister directed the project director to expedite the awarding of the contract for the flyover at Manzil Pump N-5.

The project costs Rs600 million and its tenders have been invited.

Other schemes that were discussed include an Rs500 million underpass at Submarine Chowrangi and the construction of a road from Khairpur Town to Link Road, National Highway including the construction of a portion of a road connecting it with Super Highway.

The chief minister directed chief secretary to review the security of the secretariat and open the gates installed on Kamal Ataturk Road.

Shah also directed the Karachi commissioner to study the proposal to make II Chundrigar Road one-way and find a parallel road for light traffic.