Murad warns action if delays in uplift schemes persist

KARACHI: With regard to the slow pace of work on some of city’s ongoing uplift schemes, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday warned of stern action and directed the officials concerned to ensure completion of the projects at the earliest.
In a meeting held at the Chief Minister House, Murad warned the Karachi package’s project director, Niaz Soomro, of strict action and ordered him to expedite the construction of a U-turn on Sharea Faisal.
The CM also complained that construction work of Natha Khan bridge U-turn was still to be taken up despite traffic jams having become an order of the day in the area.
He directed the chairman of the Planning & Development Department, Mohammad Waseem, to visit the area along with Soomro and Karachi package’s engineer, Khalid Masroor, and get the work started. The officials were also told to submit a report regarding the matter to the CM.
Having released approximately Rs214 million for the construction of the U-turn and other works concerning the bridge, the CM questioned the reasons behind the delay.
The construction of an underpass at the Submarine Chowk was also still to be completed, stated Murad, adding, that “I want one track of the underpass to be opened on December 15.”
Murad added that he would on the same day perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sunset Boulevard flyover. The flyover’s construction should be completed within three months of the commencement of the work, the CM ordered.
“Those who cannot follow my deadlines should look up for a job someplace else,” asserted Murad.
Reconstruction of Lyari roads: Allocating Rs600 million, Murad directed Soomro to survey roads that need repairing in and around areas near Lyari. The areas included Lee Market, Mithadar, Kharadar, Juna Market, Cheel Chowk and Kalakot among others.
The directives were given during a meeting Murad held to review delays affecting some uplift schemes ongoing in the city.
Reconstruction of the area’s drainage system as well as of roads leading up to the Jamaat Khana in Kharadar was also ordered by Murad.
“I would review the progress of the works I have decided to take up today,” stated the CM.
The local government department was ordered to beautify Sharea Faisal by adding more greenery to it. “Sharea Faisal is the face of the city; hence, it must be beautified, cleaned up and illuminated.”
Principal Secretary to the CM Sohail Rajput informed the chief minister that he met with architects for the revamping of Sharea Faisal near the Jinnah Terminal. “The architects would start the work within 10 days,” he claimed.
Murad stated that areas and apartments along the part of Sharea Faisal that is accessed
through the flyover near the terminal should be made worth looking at. Any person who exits the airport and enters the main city should feel that they have entered a beautiful city, he added. The meeting was also attended by secretary finance Hassan Naqvi and Karachi Package’s engineer, Khalid Masroor.