Mayor Karachi Launches 1.6 Billion Bridge to National Highway, Pledges 100-Day Completion.

 By: Aziz Khatri

Karachi Sep 17: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab laid the foundation stone of a flyover project costing Rs 1.6 billion to connect to the National Highway. On this occasion, Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, Deputy Parliamentary Leader in City Council Dil Muhammad, Town Member and Parliamentary Leader Ibrahim Hyderi, Town Sardar Akhtar Arfani, Chairman UC-3 Cattle Colony Javed Iqbal Kako, Rasool Khan Swati, and other elected representatives were also present.

Addressing the ceremony, the Mayor said that this flyover will be constructed over the railway line at Khalid Bin Waleed Road, which will connect N-5 with Mehran Highway. This significant development project will be completed in the next 12 months and will provide travel convenience to millions of citizens. A one-meter-wide line will also be laid for drainage of rainwater so that people do not face difficulties during the monsoon.

He said that the provision of modern infrastructure in the city is our top priority, and the commencement of work on this project is a major step towards making Karachi a modern city. Citizens will soon reap the benefits of such development projects, and efforts will continue to ensure smooth traffic flow and travel convenience. He added that the construction of the flyover between Bhains Colony and Mehran Highway is also part of this series, which will make travel easier for residents.

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that the Pakistan People’s Party has given a great gift to the residents of Bhains Colony. Local leadership had pointed out frequent accidents at the railway crossing and stressed the need for a flyover. Therefore, today, the foundation stone of a four-lane flyover worth Rs 1.6 billion has been laid. This flyover will be constructed by KMC, with a completion target of 100 days starting from September 17. He prayed that Allah keep this project safe from conspiracies and that the residents of Malir would soon get the good news of its completion.

He said this flyover will not only improve traffic flow in the area but also significantly reduce accidents. He added that Mehran Highway was also constructed by his government, and very soo,n the public would be informed about the great benefits of this project.

Mayor Wahab said that the Pakistan People’s Party is working day and night to resolve public issues and provide modern infrastructure, and such projects will play a key role in making Karachi a modern and safe city. He criticized that some elements spread negative propaganda regarding development projects in the city; instead of appreciating good work, they raise a hue and cry over minor shortcomings. He said propaganda was spread that Shahrah-e-Bhutto had been washed away, but when he visited the site, the situation was entirely different. Some hypocrites sometimes claim it is a law-and-order issue, sometimes say the road has sunk, and something else. Their sole aim is to mislead the public.

He announced that for the convenience of citizens using Shahrah-e-Bhutto and those traveling to the airport, a new bridge will be constructed at Azeempura, which will be completed within the next six months. He said his government is determined to complete development projects and will continue providing better travel facilities to the people.

Mayor Karachi further said that a new four-lane bridge is being constructed adjacent to the Murghi Khana bridge at Quaidabad. Funds are available, intentions are sincere, and we will deliver. Those who are not working in their constituencies should correct their direction. Some elements think Karachi belongs only to them, yet they have never provided such facilities to the public. These same people are now spreading hopelessness despite having done no positive work, even when they were in power.

He said that in the past, the Liaquatabad to Dak Khana road was constructed, but it later sank; however, nobody talks about that. He said his government is taking steps to improve the streets and neighborhoods of Karachi and is also working on the construction of inner lanes. He added that although the construction of internal lanes is the primary responsibility of Towns, keeping public convenience in mind, KMC is also carrying out work at its own level to provide relief to citizens.

Mayor Karachi said that the reason we hold press conferences at 11 am is not to highlight the failures of others, but to present our own work before the people. He said the federal government has not provided the required funds for the K-IV project, which is why it is delayed. He informed that the augmentation work of K-IV in front of the Old Sabzi Mandi is underway, while in just nine and a half months, a new Hub Canal has been constructed and delivered. During the recent rains, a 20-meter section of the new Hub Canal was affected, and some elements created unnecessary commotion, but the reality is that the project is progressing rapidly.

He said that the old Hub Canal will also be completed by December. Upon its completion, an infrastructure of 200 MGD water from the Hub will be available for Karachi, which will prove to be a major facility for the citizens.

Mayor Wahab demanded that MQM should also, like us, demand funds from the federal government for the people of Karachi. He also urged Jamaat-e-Islami to press the federal government to provide funds so that development projects could be completed quickly. He said that if MQM representatives are genuinely interested in solving the problems of the city, they should demand an increase in water allocation through the Hub Canal and ensure completion of the K-IV project so that a permanent water supply to Karachi becomes possible.

He said KMC has provided fumigation machines in every Union Committee without any discrimination to curb the spread of dengue and other diseases. He criticized those who only indulge in slogan-chanting, saying the reality is that practical steps are essential for public service. “For the hypocrites, I alone am enough, because their job is only propaganda, while our aim is to provide relief to the people,” he remarked.

Mayor Karachi added that no officer of the Steel Mills can cut off millions of gallons of water from Karachi’s share. Water is the basic right of citizens, and no one has the authority to seize or control it. He said that natural disasters occur everywhere in the world, and people face hardships, but politics is not done to them. He said that when disasters struck Gujarat, we did not politicize it, but in Karachi, even small issues are politicized by some elements.

He noted that news about Shahrah-e-Bhutto was aired everywhere, but how many TV channels reported on the collapse of Multan Motorway? This double standard is visible to the public.

He concluded by saying, “We do not practice the politics of hypocrisy. Our sole purpose is public service, to provide better facilities to the city, not point scoring through propaganda.”