Sindh starts work to upgrade Karachi civic infrastructure

Karachi: The Sindh government has started work on the second phase of a World Bank-assisted programme to improve basic civic and municipal infrastructure of certain selected neighbourhoods of Karachi to reclaim them as liveable and eco-friendly modern public spaces in accordance with international standards.

Sindh Law and Environment Adviser Barrister Murtaza Wahab, who also acts as the spokesman for Sindh government, said on Monday that the second phase of the World Bank-funded Karachi Neighbourhood Improvement Project (KNIP) was being implemented in suburban Malir area of the city.

The first phase of the project was implemented in downtown Saddar area of Karachi in the form of People’s Square as a modern public recreational space and underground car parking plaza near Sindh Secretariat where all the important offices of provincial government are present.

The Sindh government’s spokesman said that a new road was being constructed from Saudabad Chowrangi till Thaddo Storm Water Drain in Malir area in this phase of the KNIP.

He said that under the same project, a bridge in Khokhrapar area was being repaired to upgrade it as a dual carriageway. He said that this project was being constructed as the part of the recently unveiled Rs 1.1 trillion development package for Karachi.

He said that a new road in Malir area would be opened for vehicular movement by the end of next month.

He said that the Sindh government had started work to fulfil the promises it had made with people of Karachi.

Barrister Wahab said that the Pakistan Peoples Party ruling in the province had been acting upon its election manifesto to serve the masses with full commitment and best use of public resources.

The implementation of KNIP in Malir area of Karachi include upgrading the main road, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings within the existing right of way, reorganising vehicular travel lanes to provide adequate space to pedestrians, rehabilitation/enhancing existing open spaces with shade, adequate drainage and trash collection facilities, installing street furniture, bus shelters, safety barriers, shade features and lighting, proper parking provision for vehicles, and rehabilitating underground infrastructure beneath upgraded roads and storm water drainage where necessary.