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KARACHI, Dec 08 (APP):Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday said that this year is a year of development and improvement for Karachi as this year, KMC is spending Rs30 billion on improving the city’s infrastructure.
He expressed these views while inaugurating the construction and rehabilitation work of Muhammad Shah Street in the Old City area and other development projects.
On this occasion, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan and other elected representatives were also present.
He stated that Rs14 billion have been given to the towns, while Rs27 billion have been received under OZT, and an additional Rs. 6 billion have been obtained through click.
Earlier, a Union Council used to receive Rs500,000, which has now been increased to Rs1.2 million. Towns currently have Rs700 million under the head of road cutting, which should be utilized for public welfare. Every single rupee coming into KMC’s account is being spent on public convenience.
He said that work on the old Hub Canal project will be completed by 31 December, which will provide the city with an additional 20 million gallons of water.
Along with this, sewage treatment plants are also being made fully functional. He said that they love their sea and marine life and will ensure their protection.
He said that areas such as Bartan Bazaar, Gali Joria Bazaar and Khajoor Bazaar in Old City had fallen into a state of devastation, where the sewerage system was obsolete and drainage was extremely poor. Streets and roads were badly broken, due to which citizens faced severe difficulties.
He said that more than 200,000 square feet of pavers have been laid and sewerage lines of various sizes have been installed. The Mayor said that in addition to the markets, there are five mosques in the area where worshipers faced severe difficulties during Friday prayers.
He said that under the vision of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a promise was made to this area that its basic issues would be resolved, and to fulfill this promise, Rs. 100 million (one hundred million rupees) were allocated for this area.
He said that paver blocks have been installed in the narrow streets of Old City, the sewerage system has been improved on modern lines, and during the development work, the concerned staff continuously visited the area and consulted the trader community, keeping their needs in view.
He said that this area does not belong to any one party or individual, but to the public, and the residents and traders here have themselves assured that they will protect the development works and will not allow re-excavation or damage.
The Mayor Karachi said that today a new scene can be seen in Old City: streets are clean, roads are improved and the environment has become pleasant, due to which traders, residents and citizens coming for shopping appear satisfied. These roads are connected to the city’s busy arteries, making travel even easier.
He announced that by 15 December, work on another major development project will be started.
He said that the road in front of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce has been completed, the road from Civil Hospital to Haqqani Chowk has been prepared, and the parking problem around Bolton Market has also been resolved.
He said that internal streets in Lyari Town are being improved at a cost of Rs. 5 billion. KMC engineers have been given a 100-day target so that development work in the city can be completed on time. The extension of Azeem Pura Road is being carried out to facilitate citizens traveling to Shah Faisal Colony and the airport.
He said that Lea Market will be beautified, while restoration work of Hasan Ali Hothi Market (built in 1926) is ongoing and this project will be completed by January.
A special ceremony will also be held on the completion of 100 years of this historic building. Restoration work of Empress Market is also ongoing and will be completed by 31 January.
He said that special measures are being taken for the installation of street lights and provision of manhole covers. He appealed to citizens to cooperate with the administration to prevent the theft of manhole covers and to immediately inform the helpline in case of complaints.