Mayor Karachi Lays Foundation of Road, Drainage Project in District West

By: Aziz Khatri

 KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a new road and drainage system project from Khawaja Ajmeer Nagri Chowrangi to Dedex Road, Manghopir, in District West. The ceremony was attended by PPP Karachi General Secretary Rauf Nagori, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Juman Darwan, elected representatives, and a large number of local residents.

Addressing the gathering, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the project would significantly improve traffic flow and the drainage system in the area. He said the project, with an estimated cost of over Rs 35 crore 83 lakh, includes the construction of an approximately two-kilometre-long and 9.9-metre-wide road, complete with footpaths and kerb blocks on both sides.

He added that the project also includes the installation of a stormwater drainage system, repair of 48-inch diameter drainage lines at various locations, and the laying of a new water supply line. Improvements to the sewerage system will include raising manholes and winching sewer lines to ensure effective rainwater disposal and minimize inconvenience to residents.

The mayor said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is taking practical steps to improve infrastructure and accelerate development projects across the city to provide modern and quality facilities to citizens. Speaking to the media, he remarked that the area had never previously had a proper road, despite promises made by various political parties in the past.

He thanked the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for trusting a party worker with the responsibility of mayor, calling it an honor. He said Karachi is a bouquet of diverse communities and emphasized that collective efforts are needed to maintain the city’s beauty.

Mayor Wahab said that the long-standing problems of Manghopir residents had been addressed by the PPP, adding that development work is being carried out uniformly across all seven districts of Karachi without discrimination. He expressed his desire to bring every area of Karachi at par with Sharae Faisal.

He further stated that Rs 4.6 billion is currently being spent on development projects in the city and announced that the Sharae Faisal–Azeem Pura Bridge would be inaugurated soon. Development work is also progressing rapidly on Jehangir Road, Sharae Bhutto, and Murghi Khana Bridge, he added.

The mayor said that cleaning work at the Hub Reservoir, neglected in the past, is now being carried out, while a new pumping station in Manghopir is being established and construction of the Mominabad pumping station is underway. He said water-related issues in Gulshan-e-Hadeed and Lyari are also being addressed and that major works, including Hub Reservoir cleaning, would be completed before Ramadan.

Referring to the Gul Plaza incident, Mayor Wahab announced that KMC would provide 1,200 stalls at Polo Ground Barah Dari to affected shopkeepers. He said the PPP, Sindh government, and KMC stand with the victims and will extend full support to traders, especially during Ramadan.

The mayor also strongly condemned the recent blast at a mosque in Islamabad, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He extended condolences to the families of the deceased and said that targeting a place of worship during Friday prayers is highly condemnable and against humanity and social values. He stressed that the injured must be provided immediate and best possible medical care and called for national unity to counter elements working against peace.