KARACHI, July 16: The Super Highway was being turned into a motorway at a cost of Rs 7 billion. The work on this six-lane road would start in December and it would complete within next three years. Stating this the Federal Minister for Communication Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui said the federal government has further approved Rs 2 billion for improvement of roads network in industrial estates of Karachi. He was speaking at a meeting with members of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry.

He announced that another industrial zone would be set up along the Northern Bypass in the city. “Northern bypass has created a new opening for industrialization and we would make use of it,” he said.

The minister said that the government was utilizing all available resources to strengthen private sector by providing them with a good infrastructure and smooth supply of utilities at lowest rates, coupled with full institutional support and facilitation.

Besides providing standard infrastructure and the required facilities, the government was working out an arrangement to ensure availability of land for industries in Karachi at lowest price for speedy industrial growth.

The plots would be given on defer payments under which an allottee would have to pay the price when infrastructure is fully developed in the planned industrial estate.

The Northern Bypass would be operative by the end of this year and this would save the city from heavy traffic load meant for Karachi Port.

A modern truck terminal was also being constructed outside the city on 250 acres as part of traffic management in the city. This facility would comprise workshops and other accessories, he said.

He said the delay in the execution of Lyari Expressway, mainly due to slow shifting of the affected population to other sites in the city, had increased the cost by Rs 1.75 billion to Rs 6.75 billion against the original cost of Rs 5 billion.

The rehabilitation of the people would cost around Rs 3 billion, he said.

The main reason behind was the apathetic and non-cooperative attitude of former City District Government Karachi, he said.

After its completion, the Lyari Expressway would reduce at least 10 per cent traffic on city roads.

The minister said Indus Highway was being built at a cost of Rs26 billion. However, this amount would be recovered in two years in the shape of toll as neighbouring countries, including China, wanted to use Pakistani Highways to reach regional markets.

India was also seeking route to Afghanistan, to which Pakistan government had not acceded, so far, he added. He said Karakoram Highway was being upgraded to international standard.

Earlier, Chairman KATI, Abdul Haseeb Khan briefed the Minister about the problems facing the industries in Korangi.

—APP