KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday said that in the Rs1.1 trillion Karachi package most of the projects were ongoing and funded by the provincial government, and his government was committed to developing infrastructure, drainage and sewerage system and mass transit system in the city on priority basis.

This he said while speaking to journalists after inaugurating the waterfront Manora beach road here.

He was accompanied by provincial Ministers Shabbir Bijarani, Syed Nasir Shah and Adviser on Law Murtaza Wahab. Commander Karachi Vice Admiral Zahid Ilyas and others were also present.

The chief minister said Karachi package was not a new thing. “Most of the schemes are already ongoing, including those on which Sindh and federal governments are sharing the cost such as K-IV which is being transferred to the Centre for its completion,” he said.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the six-kilometre Manora beach road, the chief minister said that it was constructed from Kakapir to Y-junction for Rs456.64 million.

“I am proud to say that it is the first scheme of the newly created district of Keamari being launched today,” he said and announced Keamari a model district in Karachi division.

He also announced the construction of a road from Gulbai to Hawkesbay and vowed to resolve the issues of water, sanitation and infrastructure of the new district.

He said that the Manora Road scheme was part of an overall scheme for improvement of waterfront development to be made available for the public of Karachi.

Manora underdeveloped

“At present, the Manora beach is underutilised. There is very low volume of visitors due to a paucity of facilities like sitting spaces, dining area, restrooms, shades and tidiness,” he said and added that the objective was to develop fundamental facilities to get the public to Manora beach.

The chief minister said that the main attraction of Karachi was its beaches.

There was a dire need for some new developments and Manora beach was a new addition.

The Manora beach project included uplift of Manora beach segment-1 under which 15,200 square feet is being developed with pigmented concrete pavers, digital displays and light bollards and landscaping.

The work is in progress. Segment- 2 is a parking area.

It would be 6,000 square metres being developed with pigmented cement concrete pavers and fair boundary wall.

Segment-3 is a seafront development under which 8.75 acres of area is being developed with an entrance gate.

It would have pigmented cement concrete paved walkways, sitting steps, waterfront gazebos, orchid design, composite sitting benches with plants, kids play zone, kiosks/shops and restrooms.

The DG KDA said that the area on the seafront was being developed before the high tide season starting from March 31.

The CM also visited desalination plant at Manora island being established at the cost of Rs427.6m.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2020