KARACHI, Aug 20: President Pervez Musharraf has said that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) must be reactivated apart from the Karachi Mass Transit Programme in view of the growing traffic problem in Karachi.

He directed the Sindh government and CDGK to coordinate with the Planning Commission for assessment of the cost and other related issues concerning the KCR.

At a high-level meeting, chaired by the President, at the Governor's House here on Friday, the Rs29 billion Tameer-i-Karachi Programme was discussed in detail. The President was briefed on the progress made so far on various projects under the programme.

The briefing was given by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan and attended by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Corps Commander Lt-Gen Ahsan Saleem Hayat, EPB Chairman Tariq Ikram, KPT Chairman Vice-Admiral Ahmed Hayat, Advisor to the CM on Local Government Waseem Akhtar and senior federal and provincial officials.

"If the present pace of work on Tameer-i-Karachi Programme is sustained, the overall look of Karachi will present a radical change," President Musharraf remarked. He particularly emphasized on early rehabilitation of various industrial areas like Korangi, Landhi, F B Area and North Karachi, saying that it was a prerequisite for fast industrial development and quality exports.

In this regard, he underlined the need for setting up of treatment plants for effective and proper disposal of industrial waste. "No doubt, there are problems, like water and electricity, being faced by Karachiites, but with the continuity of this programme and passage of time, such problems will be overcome."

President Musharraf appreciated the KPT, Export Processing Zone Authority, Steel Mills, PIA, EPB, State Bank, oil/multinational companies and Civil Aviation Authority for extending financial and technical cooperation, as well as support, in the execution of the development projects assigned to them.

He directed the National Highway Authority to assess the cost of the construction of a road up to the Steel Mills and the road linking National Highway and Super Highway. The ongoing work on rehabilitation of roads, being part of the package, be geared up, he added.

The President was informed that the work on the Rs900 million University Road project, undertaken by PIA was in progress and that the project was being designed by the consultant firm.

He was also informed that the consultancy, for the designing of Shahrah-i- Ghalib would cost Rs320 million. The President noted and appreciated that all stakeholders were working on the package in coordination with each other as well as with the CDGK which, he remarked, was a very positive sign and worth emulation by other cities.

Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad apprised the President of the progress made in respect of low-cost housing schemes in Karachi as was directed by the President earlier. He said that an amount of Rs100 million would be spent on these schemes.

The KPT chairman briefed the meeting about the progress in respect of the projects undertaken by the organization. The projects, he said, included rehabilitation of various main roads leading to the port and installation of a 16-MGD desalination plant for which a technical committee of KPT was to visit Denmark.

He told the meeting that the organization was initiating work on Port Tower from November 15 this year. The 1,000 feet high tower, he said, would be constructed at Clifton beach on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis at a cost of Rs20 billion.

Water jet would be another project to be undertaken by the KPT at a cost of US$3 million at Oyster Rocks which would add beauty to Karachi, he added. During briefing, the city nazim requested President Musharraf for the release of export development fund. -APP