Govt is serious in improving roads network in city

KARACHI: Federal Secretary for Communications, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui on Thursday said the bids have been received for widening of Northern Bypass road and the work will start soon as well the project will be completed within shortest possible time.

"PTI Government is very serious in improving roads network and other infrastructure of Karachi. I shall be personally monitoring the progress on Northern Bypass. The work on this much-demanded road will start soon," he said during a meeting at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). It was attended by representatives of transporters associations, National Highways and Motorway Police besides official of Karachi Chamber.

It would also help manage Balochistan transport from and to Karachi, besides fast movement of goods and industrial raw materials here, he said.

He urged the transporters' representatives to cooperate and sit with the government authorities concerned for resolution to their issues and give their input in strengthening the network in Karachi and other areas of the country.

"Transporters are the backbone of the country," he remarked adding that no development or prosperity is possible without roads network. Better economic activity was must for social uplift in the country.

He said over the past few months, things were improved in the country.

He assured that Federal Ministry of Communications wants to initiate many roads projects and the allied facilities in the city in consultation with KCCI leadership and transporters.

He said the recently formed technical committee with representation of transporters would soon complete its work identifying the transport issues and find their solutions, and it would submit its recommendations to the Ministry of Communications.

President Transporters Association Nasir Jafri assured full cooperation, on behalf of transporters, and urged for regular interaction between the concerned government agencies and the Ministry of Communication with transporters.

He thanked KCCI leadership for strong advocacy for their issues and arranging detailed meeting with the Secretary Communications, and NHA and Motorway Police officers.

Earlier, KCCI President M.Junaid Makda and Chairman, Apparel Forum and form vice president KCCI, Muhammad Jawed Bilwani highlighted the issues of the roads in and around the city and transport issues especially the movement of cargo.

They also suggested possible solutions to the problems.