20000122

Minister briefed

on Lyari expressway

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Fahim Zaman Khan, has said that the Lyari expressway project, if given go ahead signal, would be completed in seven phases and cost Rs 3.225 billion.

He was making a presentation on the project before the minister for irrigation, power, communication and works, A. N. G. Abbasi, at the New Secretariat on Friday.

Khan said KMC had planned Lyari Highway Expressway for the up-country movement of heavy traffic as most of them are petrol and diesel consuming vehicles and are creating environmental problems.

Khan said that channelisation and dredging will require Rs 1.5 billion to save a population of about 1.545 million in Lyari and adjoining areas.

He said that the KMC had carried out an aerial reconnaissance photography and physical survey of the people living in katchi abadis on the banks and bed of Lyari River. A preliminary design in the form of a feasibility was prepared by the Frontier Works Organization on behalf of the KMC. More than four kilometres of commercial encroachments were also removed by the KMC.

According to a study, after dredging and channelisation of Lyari River, the width required for this storm drain could be reduced to 277 feet as compared with 450 feet available at Sohrab Goth. At Mauripur, the width required after channelization and dredging will be only 600 feet as against 1,000 feet available today.

Khan said KMC is fully equipped to address issues of resettlement and relocation of katchi abadis.

The meeting was attended, among others, by the additional chief secretary (development) planning and development, senior member board of revenue, chairman of governor's task force on municipal affairs, and concerned officers.