Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved a grant of Rs2.9 billion for the development and rehabilitation of infrastructure of the industrial areas of Karachi and adjoining areas. "I shall be releasing more funds if I see quality work being done before the end of current financial year," Shah said at an exclusive meeting with a 10-member delegation of Karachi Industrial Forum (KIF) that was led by Zain Bashir.
Sindh Minister for Industries Manzoor Wassan, Minister for Local Government Jam Khan Shoro, and concerned officers also attended the meeting at the CM House, here on Tuesday, where Chief Minister announced his approval to the said financial grant.
Sindh chief minister said he decided to provide maximum funds if they come up with a detailed development plan. He announced revival of Industrial Development Board under the chairmanship of Minister of Industries so that board could execute government-funded schemes. He said that delay was caused due to KIF because he had not received complete development plan.
Manzoor Wassan said that he had held a number of meetings with the concerned industrialists but the plan was deferred from one meeting to another. "Anyhow, we again requested chief minister to sort out the issues of the industrialists with his magic wand," he said. On this the chief minister said in a lighter mood that he was an engineer and go by calculation but Wassan had the ability to see a dream and get it materialised.
The most important issues included reconstruction of infrastructure, cleaning of storm water drains and sewerage system, up-gradation and modernisation of fire station in the jurisdiction of industrial areas, provision of water, relocation of an existing hydrant, repair and expansion of existing bridges and installation of water treatment plant. KIF representatives said these were key issues in the industrial areas of North Karachi, FB Area, Korangi, SITE Super Highway and SITE Karachi and SITE Manghopir.
The chief minister approved a grant of Rs2.9 billion and directed minister for industries to hold Infrastructure Development Board meeting, identify the schemes, then approve them and begin work under joint supervision of the concerned industrial area and his department.
Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro said that he had closed all the hydrants, except seven. If the Industrialists have any issue with any hydrant he was ready to wind it up or relocate it. They pointed out Masha Allah Hydrant in Landhi on which Shoro ordered KWSB to shift it or close it.
The KIF representatives said that there was a serious issue of traffic jam at Jam Sadiq Bridge, on this the chief minister directed Commissioner Karachi to survey the area for constructing a causeway at the bridge for heavy traffic and report him within three day. He said he would approve funds if the proposed causeway is feasible.
On the suggestion of the industrialists, Shah approved reconstruction of roads, drainage system, pedestrian bridge and security wall at FB Industrial Area alongside construction of footpaths and installation of street lights. The chief minister also ordered removal of encroachment from the industrial areas and traffic management during the peak hours.
The representatives of KIF who met Shah at CM House included: Ziad Bashir of LATI, Masood Naqi of KATI, Jawed Suleman of FBATI, Rasheed Jan Mohammad of BQATI, Jamshed Ahmed of Super Highway Association (SSHATI), Asad Nisar of SITE, Akhtar Ismail of NKATI, Mian Mohammad, the patron-in-chief of Bin Qasim and others. They thanked chief minister for his extraordinary support and co-operation.
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