KARACHI, July 1: The city government has chalked out an elaborate programme for the gradual phasing out of insecure and worn-out buses ultimately getting these replaced with 8,000 new CNG buses in the next four years.

This was stated by the City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil at a seminar organised by the International Peace Commission here on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion she said that the federal government was offering assistance in the form of Rs4 billion to help the local transporters to get these buses imported at subsidised rates.

The city government itself was said to have earmarked Rs500 million for the scheme, under its current fiscal year budget to be complimented with an annual allocation of Rs10 billion for the next three consecutive years.

Ms Jalil said that in the next four years the metropolis would finally get rid of atmospheric pollution caused by smoke emitting vehicles.

She reiterated that the city government was taking all necessary steps to contain environmental degradation, with specific reference to atmospheric pollution in Karachi.

Reiterating the city government's strong commitment to provide citizens a healthy and clean environment, she said that it was with the very objective that the solid waste management scheme was being streamlined through the involvement of national and foreign investors. Private sector is being engaged, she said mentioning that the garbage transfer station is part of the very efforts.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/02/local13.htm

KARACHI: The ground work including piling for the 24km elevated expressway from Jinnah Bridge to Quaidabad will start in next two months as all the surveys including topographical and traffic survey has been completed, informed sources told The News.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal elaborated the newsmen on the elevated expressway, the biggest ever project in the metropolis undertaken by any foreign firm. The elevated expressway is being constructed on build operate and transfer (BOT) basis by the Malaysian firm and for a period of one year, the firm would collect the toll tax as per agreement inked with the city government.

An official of the IJM Corporation disclosed that the drawings of the project will be sent to the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) for approval. He said that as this is a highly technical process, now tenders would be floated for the firms to conduct soil testing of the specified area to measure the load capacity of the soil.

The official said that after the soil capacity test, the firm would start structural designing and feasibility of the plan, adding that piling would start on different spots of Shahrah-e-Faisal, by August this year. The delegation also met EDOs concerned of the city government.

The local engineers and labour force would also be engaged in the project along with some experts from Malaysia. The project includes construction of 24km long, 25 meter wide expressway having three lanes on each side.

The project costing $225 million, will be completed in three years time. Six interchanges will be provided on the 24km long elevated expressway at Quaidabad Intersection, Star Gate, HIR road Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Hotel Metropole and Jinnah Bridge (Native Jetty).

In the first phase of the project, the feasibility study and designing of the project would be completed in a period of six months. The second phase of the project includes engineering, procurement, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and transfer of the project.

The CDGK will handover to the IJM Corporation, physical possession of the site within 60 days together with necessary rights for the implementation of the first phase. The city Nazim has already announced that the foundation stone laying ceremony would take place on August 8.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=13760

I wonder why politicians like to make promises of false dates when they cant hold up on their word.

Isn't that part and parcel of being a friggin politician in the first place? :lol: :lol:

Should'nt they really go for 8 Lanes? 4 on each side, it's an elevated expressway and pretty much will be used alot, and it will be quite hard to expand after completion?

Should'nt they really go for 8 Lanes? 4 on each side, it's an elevated expressway and pretty much will be used alot, and it will be quite hard to expand after completion?

I was thinking the same thing, but with 6 interchanges along the stretch of highway..I think the overall distribution of traffic maybe not that high. But thats just a guess.

^^ Yes, I would have provided some more interchanges so more traffic would use it. Especially one at the FTC and another at Karsaz - two major roads with major traffic.

Do we know the precise locations of the interchanges?

Do we know the precise locations of the interchanges?


Six interchanges will be provided on the 24km long elevated expressway at Quaidabad Intersection, Star Gate, HIR road Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Hotel Metropole and Jinnah Bridge (Native Jetty).

By the way, whats the benefit of an elevated expressway? Is it going to be developed above existing routes so as to conserve space? If not, then why is so much money being poured into elevating it?

^^ precisely.

As far as the money goes, the company is investing out of their own pockets as a buisness venture. So we shouldnt be worried about it.

^ But we should be worried about the Toll's they will collect .. the City Govt. has still not announced the rates, and I hope they do keep a tight hand on the investors, so that they do not increase toll rates on their own.

But I still think they are making a mistake in making the expressway of just 6 lanes, they should atleast go for 8, as traffic only increases in Karachi and never decreases.

Same goes for Lyari Expressway, which is only 4 lanes I believe! atleast thats what I heard.

Regarding the FTC interchange, yes they should definately make one there, as it has traffic coming in from everywhere .. Sharea Faisal, Defence, Saddar just to name a few.

Edit;

Swerveut: There will be one interchange at Karsaaz, H.I.R road is the one that connects Sharea Faisal to the Karsaaz area.

Thats the road where the Maritime Museum is ..

^^ But the Shahrah-e-Faisal will still be running alongside on the ground. If they charge a high toll, people would opt to take the slower route on the lower level, so they wont earn enough. Therefore, instead of government putting any controls on the toll, economics will do it by itself.

Yes, its good theres an interchange at Karsaz. Dunno if the FTC interchange was avoided due to the closeness of the Shahrah-e-Quaideen one, but I see an easier way to integrate the highway with the FTC flyover than would be possible over the Shahrah-e-quaideen flyover. And it is busier at FTC as well.

Swerveut: There will be one interchange at Karsaaz, H.I.R road is the one that connects Sharea Faisal to the Karsaaz area.

Thats the road where the Maritime Museum is ..

One question...how in friggin hell are they going to integrate the changes with the already built/under construction flyovers all along shahra-e-faisal?

Lets see now there is flyover under construction at Karsaz junction already + one already finished one at Shahra-e-Quaideen junction (nursery)...how will the interchanges be integrated there?

Also as you proposed making an interchange at FTC chowk. There'll be integration problems for the interchange with the already built flyover there.

Thats true, I am sure they would be able to fit an interchange on Sharea Quaideen, as the road itself it quite wide (Sharea Faisal and Sharea Quaideen), I'm not too sure about the FTC one, either they'll intergrate the interchange with the FTC Flyover, or maybe the areas behind the FTC Flyover?

Instead of going for an FTC interchange they should instead go for the Regent Plaza one so that Ambulances serving the JPMC hospital can get through easily, they can also get a toll cut !

Btw theres also an Underpass planned on Sharea Faisal I heard, its going to be right opposite of the FTC building, and most probably the City Govt. will ask the FTC management to lend away some of their front entrance for that purpose .. it is quite true because the management of FTC was busy changing its 'entrance' to the back of the building, I know that because I was working there a few months back ..

Thats true, I am sure they would be able to fit an interchange on Sharea Quaideen, as the road itself it quite wide (Sharea Faisal and Sharea Quaideen), I'm not too sure about the FTC one, either they'll intergrate the interchange with the FTC Flyover, or maybe the areas behind the FTC Flyover?

Instead of going for an FTC interchange they should instead go for the Regent Plaza one so that Ambulances serving the JPMC hospital can get through easily, they can also get a toll cut !

Btw theres also an Underpass planned on Sharea Faisal I heard, its going to be right opposite of the FTC building, and most probably the City Govt. will ask the FTC management to lend away some of their front entrance for that purpose .. it is quite true because the management of FTC was busy changing its 'entrance' to the back of the building, I know that because I was working there a few months back ..


The underpass is planned at the intersection of Shahra-e-Faisal with the road which leads to the Sindhi Muslim Housing Society (in front of Gulistan high school and which goes to the food round about where KFC is). Frankly I think it will be totally useless as the shahra-e-quaideen flyover had handled the load pretty well, last time I was in Karachi.

Anyways agree with you that they should make interchange at Regent plaza place to facilitate ambulances. I think they are making one at Metropole and the next one at nursery with no interchanges in the middle.

Btw guys, we should discuss this in the official topic;

Karachi: 24-km Elevated Expressway (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=323543&page=2&pp=20)

And leave this one for the daily Karachi updates :)

Completion of underpasses delayed
By Fasahat Mohiuddin

KARACHI: The three underpasses of the city cannot be completed by the scheduled date and their completion might be delayed by several months due to some technical flaws.

He said that work on the biggest and longest underpass at Ibn-e-Sina Road is in progress. This was officially announced by EDO, Works and Services, Sarfaraz Ali Shah, while talking to newsmen at his office on Monday.

The EDO, while giving the details of the delay, said that no one could be held responsible for the delay of these underpasses like the city government, water board officers, contractors and consultants delay in the construction of underpasses as they worked round the clock on these projects.

He said that all these under-construction underpasses had utility lines running underneath them and during excavation these lines suddenly got exposed resulting in the delay of the projects.

Asked as to why the consultant who was appointed failed to point out the utility lines in his report, he was unable to give satisfactory reply. He said in future it has been decided that the consultant would not be given the job of underpasses and flyovers putting him on black list and said any further action against the consultant was out of question.

The EDO said a one-year agreement was reached with the contractor for the completion of the underpasses. He said these projects had a stipulated one-year completion period and during the excavation 54 inches diameter sewerage line was also detected and the Water Board was not aware of this huge line and said in the history of Karachi never ever such huge line was laid down.

During work on the Liaquatabad underpass water seeped in from the ground. A 132 KV KESC line was also detected for which we had to face serious problems. Replying to a question that why any action was not taken against any officer due to the delay in underpasses, he said when no one was responsible for delay, action was out of question.

He said due to this nobody would resign, including city Nazim. He said Nazimabad underpass work was started on March 11, Liaquatabad under pass on March 8 and all these under passes were scheduled to completed in first week of July.

EDO works and services said Nazimabad underpass and Liaquatabad underpass one track for traffic will be opened on August 14 and Ghareebabad underpass will also be opened before August 14.

He said but due to relocation of utility lines exposed after excavation for underpasses for which department highly regrets. Despite all these circumstances credit goes to City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=14012

KARACHI, July 2: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has issued directive for immediate construction of a four-kilometre link road at a cost of Rs160 million to connect Hawkesbay Scheme-42 with the Site Industrial Area, Baldia Town and Northern Bypass.

Chairing a high-level meeting held at the Governor’s House to review the ongoing development work on the scheme, he also directed the officials concerned to start work on the improving and revamping of the 12-kilometre two-way road between Hawkesbay beach T-point junction and Paradise Point.

He was of view that the construction of road would not only provide better commuting facility to the residents of the city’s outskirts, but would also prove helpful in the development of the coastline.

The meeting was attended by Adviser on Local Bodies Waseem Akhter, Minster for Planning and Development Shoaib Bukhari, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Senior Member BoR Syed Anwer Haider, Secretary Local Bodies Ishaq Lashari, Secretary Law Syed Ghulam Nabi Shah, DG Lyari Development Authority and other officials.

The meeting took important decisions regarding development and construction of the Hawkesbay Scheme-42 and removal of encroachment along the Hawkesbay road.

The governor asked the officers concerned that to take concrete steps against encroachments.

He said the government was making all out efforts to remove hurdles in the way of development in the Scheme-42.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/03/local10.htm

Completion of underpasses delayed
By Fasahat Mohiuddin

KARACHI: The three underpasses of the city cannot be completed by the scheduled date and their completion might be delayed by several months due to some technical flaws.
.....................


http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=14012

Its contrary to what we keep hearing from City Nazim Mustafa kamal, always quoting that work is on schedule or ahead of schedule !

Underpasses to be opened by November
KARACHI: District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) Fazlur Rehman said on Tuesday that both tracks of the under construction Gharibabad, Liaquatabad and Nazimabad underpasses will be opened for traffic by end of October or early November this year, while the construction of a track of the three underpasses at Ibn-e-Sina Road will be completed by August this year.

To a query, the DCO said that Airport-Site corridor would be signal-free according to the vision of the city Nazim.

He said that seven big projects, including four bridges and three underpasses, were under way at this corridor, adding that work on all the three underpasses was going on round-the-clock after their groundbreaking.

Fazl said that the main obstacle in carrying out the projects was the underground utility network, as there was no master plan regarding utility services. He said that a 33-inch and 54-inch diameter sewerage lines and 48-inch diameter water supply lines in Liaquatabad had been shifted by KW&SB in a record time period.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=14173

CDGK hires consultant for IT tower
By our correspondent

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has hired a consultant for the largest Information Technology (IT) call centre tower.

City Nazim has directed EDO works and services, to issue advertisements in this regard in the newspapers, as they will jointly work with the foreign consortium to maintain the quality of work.

The Nazim said that the advertisement should state that the city government is planning to build an IT tower at the Hasan Square and needs local and foreign expertise for this purpose.

The intending firms should have an expertise of International standard so that they could maintain quality in accordance with the international standards.

The city Nazim was supposed to do the foundation stone laying ceremony but due to some unavoidable circumstances this has been delayed.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=14172

Underpasses have been delayed, the foundation stone of the IT Tower has been delayed, what the hell is going on!

Underpasses have been delayed, the foundation stone of the IT Tower has been delayed, what the hell is going on!


welcome to karachii :) .... It is always the case in karachi... if something doesnt get delayed there means .. something fishy fishy in it ;)

Should'nt they really go for 8 Lanes? 4 on each side, it's an elevated expressway and pretty much will be used alot, and it will be quite hard to expand after completion?


Dont worry drivers will use those 3 lanes as 6 .... no body have a respect of lane there .. no concept of lanes there... :)

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/05/SlideShow/pic11.jpg

KARACHI - July 4, 2006: Finishing touches being given to one of the four overhead bridges under construction on the main Korangi Road in the Defence Housing Authority area.—Dawn

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/kt10208/Internet/overhead.jpg

Beautiful

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/05/SlideShow/pic11.jpg

KARACHI - July 4, 2006: Finishing touches being given to one of the four overhead bridges under construction on the main Korangi Road in the Defence Housing Authority area.—Dawn


wonder why authorities don't go underground. A general study shows that People like and use underpasses and don't prefer an overhead bridge. They would rather pass through the road as is happening in our cities!! I hate overhead bridges.

Many beggars also occupy overhead bridges - which puts off people from using them.

easy solution - install grilles on the sides of the road so the only option to cross is from the bridge.

easy solution - install grilles on the sides of the road so the only option to cross is from the bridge.

grilles are just joke for our people, they often bend or destroy to make way.

There are probably 5-6 overhead bridges at Ferozepur road, lahore from Qurtaba chowk til Qainchi. People prefer to cross the road rather using overhead bridge.

City to have 100 pedestrian bridges

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi has selected 100 spots in the metropolis for the construction of overhead pedestrian bridges at an estimated cost of Rs 600 million, said a CDGK statement Wednesday.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had directed the CDGK Transport and Communication department to build pedestrian bridges over roads and thoroughfares where walkers were facing difficulties crossing them due to fast traffic movement after the removal of roundabouts and other hurdles. Following the instruction, the department conducted a survey of all the main roads and proposed construction of pedestrian bridge at 100 places in the city to facilitate citizens.

However, priorities have been set for their phase-wise building and it has been decided that the construction of pedestrian bridges during the current fiscal year would begin only at locations where there is an immediate need.

The roads and thoroughfares that have been proposed for the construction of pedestrian bridges and where the work has started are Shahrah-i-Pakistan, Khayaban-i-Sher Shah, National Highway, Shahrah-i-Faisal, University Road, Nishtar Road, Ibn-i-Sina Road, Stadium Road, Rashid Minhas Road and all other roads which are highly prone to accidents. ppi

Bagh Ibne Qasim - looking beautiful!

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9232/baghibnqasim6un.jpg

KARACHI: Single track of underpasses to be ready next month


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, July 5: One track of all the three underpasses (Ups) being constructed at different locations on Ibne Sina Road will be opened to vehicular traffic next month, District Coordination Officer Fazalur Rehman said here on Tuesday night.

In an informal meeting with a group of newsmen at his camp office, located at former commissioner office, he said that work on all the three underpasses which was going on round-the-clock in three shifts had been further expedited to ensure their completion in August. Referring to the nazim’s vision of making a signal-free corridor (from SITE to airport), the DCO said that all seven mega projects, which included three underpasses and four flyovers, were designed to provide relief to motorists who often remain stuck up at the congested traffic intersections.

One of the tracks of all the three underpasses being constructed at Gharibabad, Liaquatabad No 10 and near Nazimabad Flyover will be opened to vehicular traffic in August while both tracks of these underpasses will be completed and opened to vehicular traffic in October.

Terming the project a herculean task, Mr Rehman said that though all those associated with the project had never undertaken such a gigantic work earlier, they were working on it with a missionary zeal to accomplish the task in the shortest possible time.

About the shifting of utility services lines and cables, he said that it was a commendable job on the part of the KWSB as it created a history by shifting 54 and 33 inches diameters old pipelines from the project’s sites in record shortest duration. Besides, the shifting of KESC’s 11KV line was though an uphill task the problem had been solved amicably, he added.

“Believe me that all the utility services’ lines which were shifted in merely three to three-and-a-half months was not even possible in two-and-a-half years,” he said that since Nazim Mustafa Kamal was monitoring and evincing keen interest in the project, all the utility services organisations extended their full cooperation in this regard.

Asked about the measures taken to ensure uninterrupted work on all the three underpasses if monsoon starts, the DCO said that work on the project would not suffer even during rains as all arrangements had been made to drain out rainwater from the projects’ sites for which latest de-watering machines had already been acquired.

All the three underpasses are being constructed under Tameer-i-Karachi Programme at a total cost of Rs852 million. Both the provincial and city governments are equally sharing the project’s cost.

The underpass being built near Nazimabad Flyover is the longest with a length of 750 meters, followed by Liaquatabad (668 metre-long) and Gharibabad Underpass (560 metre-long).

Having similar depth of 5.2 metres, all the three underpasses on their completion will ensure unhindered flow of vehicular traffic from SITE to the airport thus saving time and fuel of the motorists taking this route.

KWSB’s Managing Director Brig Iftikhar Haider, Executive District Officer (Works and Services) Sarfraz Ali Shah and Project Director Khuda Bukhsh Pathan were also present on the occasion.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/06/local7.htm

KARACHI, July 5: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that with continued inflow of investment, economy of Sindh is improving and in IT sector alone, projects worth 500 million dollars are in the pipeline.

He was speaking at a press conference soon after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Sindh Government and the E-Storage of Japan at Chief Minister House here on Wednesday.

The MoU was signed by Advisor on IT and Environment Noman Saigal on behalf of the Sindh Government and by Hirono Takahashi, President, E- Storage, Japan.

Under the MoU, the E-Storage Network, Japan, will search and attract investment from Japan for Sindh and also undertake viable projects in IT, Telecom sectors, as well as establishment of call centres.

Dr Rahim said that the Sindh government is fully encouraging investors and referred to grant of land near Safari Park to world-renowned Metro group of Germany which will undertake export of agro-based products, fish etc.

The Sindh government, he pointed out, has resolved the issue of grant of land to foreign investors and said now prospective investors are provided land at a price 25 per cent less than market value.

He said to overcome water problem, the Sindh government has introduced sprinkle system and one such system has been installed at Super Highway which he would inspect personally.

He said that sprinkle system would be installed with 80 per cent Sindh government finances and 20 per cent by growers. He said the system would enable the use of only 1/8th quantity of water now being used for irrigation and would, thus, help overcome water shortage in Sindh.

Accompanied by his Advisor on IT, Noman Saigal, at the press conference, the Chief Minister informed about installation of Brazilian Ethenolol plant in Karachi which would produce environment friendly fuel.

Replying a question, Dr Arbab acknowledged power shortage in Karachi and said that hydel power generation is the cheapest system . He said if hydel-based power generation plants had been installed earlier, the province would not faced power shortage today.

He told a questioner that installation of coal-fired power plants suffered delay because the price for the power generated was not fixed when the Chinese wanted to supply at 5 cents. He said if the price issue had been settled at that time, the plant would have come up on ground today.

He told a questioner that Sindh's interests would be fully protected at the CCI meeting whenever it takes place. He said as Chief Minister it is his responsibility to see protection of interests of his province.

To a question about meetings between Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in London, he described it meetings of frustrated souls. He said they are the ones who used to brand each other as “security risk” for the country.

He referred to a photograph appearing in the press showing Nawaz Sharif patting Benazir's daughter Asifa and said they were showing love for each other only to come back into power.

He said if anyone of them is offered power, they would forget each other.

When sought his comments on opposition's anti-government campaign, the Chief Minister said that people have become fed up of their politics and they are fully satisfied with our performance.

To another question, Dr Arbab said that Sehwan Barrage would certainly be built if found in Sindh's advantage.

On this occasion, Managing Director of Metro Cash and Carry Shop informed the Chief Minister that their company's outlets are doing business in 28 countries of the world. He said their company is interested in fruit and food products.

He informed that Metro would establish four Cash and Carry Wholesale distribution centres at four locations in Karachi with an investment of 90 million dollars which would help produce vast employment opportunities while accessible markets would be available to growers and fishermen for their products.

The Punjab Industries Minister Mohammed Ajmal Cheema, Sindh Chief Secretary Fzlur Rehman were also present on the ooccasion.

KARACHI, July 5: Sindh Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman has directed the departments concerned to adopt a coordinated strategy for the construction of sports complex in Karachi and cooperate with the department of sports and culture for ensuring its completion within the stipulated period.

He stated this while chairing a meeting at his office on Wednesday. Provincial Sports and Culture Minister Qamar Mansoor was especially invited to attend the meeting.

The meeting was informed that as per directive of the federal government commercial aspects in the sports complex project had been kept at minimum. The complex had been designed comprehensively to meet the recreational requirements.

The project consultant informed that the complex would also have a big convention centre with a capacity of 5,000 seats. It was informed that the project would have water supply and sewerage system, wastage disposal and power generation to be developed on self-help basis without over-burdening the government.

The consultant was asked to submit a written proposal in this regard to be forwarded to federal government through Sindh government for approval at the highest level.

Among others, the meeting was attended by provincial secretaries Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Faisal Saud, Nazar Hussain Mahar, Khalid Mahmood Soomro, Ishaq Lashari, Special Secretary Finance Shoaib Siddiqi, Consultant S.M. Kazim, KBCA Controller Khuwaja Badeeuzaman and EDO Revenue Saleh Farooqi.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/06/local15.htm

KARACHI: The pace of progress regarding the establishment of Garment City was reviewed at a high-level meeting held at the Governor House on Thursday. Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan was in the chair, according to a statement.

The meeting was attended by the Nazim of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK), Syed Mustafa Kamal, Sindh Chief Secretary, Fazal ur Rehman, Federal Secretary Textile, Masood Alam Rizvi, Chairman Garment City, Aziz Memon, and other officials.

It was informed that on the directive of governor, 150 acres of land has been allocated in Baldia Town for the Garment City. The meeting was further informed that within 15 months of allotment of land, allottees would have to activate their units. The establishment of Garment City would generate about 60,000 jobs. As it would be located almost in the middle of the city, the transport would be easily available especially for women folk engaged in the garment business.

The governor emphasised the need for another Garment City at Bin Qasim spread on 300 acres of land and its early completion. He said these initiatives would help alleviate poverty and generate employment opportunities.

On the directives of the governor, the CDGK has been included on the Board of Governors of the Garment City. Ownership of land of the Garment City at Baldia Town would be of the CDGK.

The governor also asked the CDGK to make available basic infrastructure of both the garment cities. He also directed the utility services organisations to leave no stone unturned in this respect.

It was pointed out that the provincial government was already working on the principle of ‘One Village, One Product’.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=14381

Saturday, July 08, 2006 E-Mail this article to a friend Printer Friendly Version

Work to start on mass transit corridors in 3 wks

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said Friday that the transport system would improve in a year and a half and work would start on a 17-kilometre Sohrab Goth-Tower Mass Transit Corridor by next month. The construction of 22 underpasses and bridges would be completed and 14 bogies of light trains would ply it.

"At present Karachi is facing grave transport problems and the only solution is mass transit and signal-free roads," he said, adding that there were many mass transit corridors in Karachi but six were the most important.

Work on the Quaidabad-Tower Expressway would be initiated soon. After the completion of the Northern Bypass and Lyari Expressway project the traffic situation would improve. He added that Karachi was developing at a fast pace and required signal-free highways.

The construction of bridges for pedestrians is underway and fifty of them, at a cost of Rs 300 million, would be completed by this year.

CDGK to build six sports stadiums: The City District Government will construct six stadiums in various parts of the city at an estimated cost of Rs 580 million.

The construction will start from July 8 after City Nazim Mustafa Kamal lays the foundation stone of the first stadium in sector 11-1/2 of Orangi Town.

The foundation stone of the second stadium will be laid on Monday in Sector D-3, UC-5, Quaid Avenue Road, Baldia Town. Stadiums will also be constructed in Federal B. Area No 10, Korangi No 5 and North Karachi. Kamal said that stadiums would be constructed in every city and the CDGK's purpose behind the construction is to ensure that healthy recreational facilities are provided to citizens. ppi/app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\07\08\story_8-7-2006_pg12_4

KARACHI: The city government will ensure that people’s investment in housing schemes is not lost, City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil said Friday. She was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day International Property Exhibition and Conference (IPEC) at the Karachi Expo Centre. “We will never let builders to walk away with people’s life savings in the name of fake housing schemes, flats or apartments,” she said. More phases of Taiser Town are in the pipeline and the second phase was awaiting the green signal from President Musharraf as he is expected to inaugurate the balloting. Another low-cost housing project of the city government will be launched in Malir, Jalil said. The city government had allocated Rs 100 million in the current budget to provide housing facilities for its employees. Jalil said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was also providing one billion rupees to the city government for low-cost housing schemes. She pointed out that only 30 percent of the land in Karachi belonged to the city government. “Therefore, we can not implement the city government’s regulations across the city, especially in the construction industry,” she noted. HBFC Chairman Zaigham Rizvi underlined the need for low-cost housing and added that two-thirds of the population of Karachi earns Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 per month and does not qualify for housing loans.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\07\08\story_8-7-2006_pg12_5

KARACHI, July 7: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has stressed the need to start immediate work on six corridors under Karachi Mass Transit Project.
“At present, Karachi is faced with grave transport problems and only solution to get rid of them is mass transit corridors and signal-free roads,” he told a meeting here on Friday. The meeting was attended by DCO Fazlur Rehman, EDOs and other officials.

He said that the transport issue would stand resolved to a great extent in a couple of years.

Besides, signal-free corridor from Site to airport, work is expected to start in August on 17km Mass Transit Corridor-I from Sohrab Goth to Tower which would have 22 underpasses and bridges.

He said work was also about to start on elevated expressway from Quaidabad to Jinnah Bridge while traffic problems would also be greatly solved with the construction of Lyari Expressway and Northern Bypass.

However, he said that the fast expansion of metropolis required all thoroughfares signalfree and the city government had started working in this regard.

He said that the city government would also construct 100 bridges for pedestrians. During the current fiscal, he said, 50 such bridges would be established at a cost of Rs300 million.

Pointing out that the city district government of Karachi has launched fast development process, Mr Kamal claimed that in a very short period its performance had been the best among all the district governments.

STADIUMS: Work on the construction of six stadiums will start from Saturday when City Nazim Mustafa Kamal will lay the foundation stone of the first stadium in Sector 11-1/2 of Orangi Town.

The city government will construct six stadiums in various parts of the city at an estimated cost of Rs580 million.

The foundation stone of second stadium will be laid on Monday in Sector D-3, UC-5, Quaid Avenue Road, Baldia Town.

Besides, construction work on stadiums will also be undertaken in Federal B. Area No 10, Korangi No 5 and North Karachi.

Mustafa Kamal said that the city government would take all possible steps for providing sports and other healthy recreational facilities in the city. —APP



Source: Dawn e-Paper (http://epaper.dawn.com)

KARACHI, July 10: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Monday said the city government had initiated Rs507 million uplift projects, including revamping of water and sewerage system and construction of roads and a stadium, in Baldia Town.Addressing a big gathering after laying foundation stone of international standard stadium in Baldia, he said that a 100-bed hospital was also being constructed in the town.

He said that the stadium would be constructed on 25 acres with an estimated cost of Rs121.7 million in two years. Besides, a large building, it would have cricket, football and hockey ground, swimming pool, diving pool, jogging track, 20000-sq-feet underground water tank, scoreboard, sewerage treatment plant, intercom system, electric substation and fire fighting system. The stadium ground would have trees and plants around it.

Terming the stadium’s construction as a golden chapter in Baldia’s history, Mustafa Kamal said the city would get six more international standard stadiums equipped with all facilities.

He said that after building of the Baldia Stadium, players from all over the world would be invited to play there which would bring a revolution in the area and help solve its problems.

Rain emergency: Various town nazims visited their respective areas to inspect rain emergency arrangements.

Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town Nazim Wasay Jalil visited many areas of the town. He also visited central compliant centre of the town and reviewed arrangements regarding rain emergency. The nazim also inspected the newly constructed public toilet at NIPA.

SITE Town Nazim Azharuddin Ahmed also inspected ongoing projects and expressed satisfaction over the pace of work.

Shah Faisal Town Nazim Muhammad Imran also visited all union councils and inspected rain emergency arrangements.

DUES: The city government has sought suggestions from the finance committee members for payment of Rs180 million outstanding dues of the last fiscal year 2005-06 to union councils.

A meeting of the finance committee, chaired by Itrat Akhtar, reviewed ways and means to pay the amount owed by the city government with regard to uplift projects during the last fiscal. It noted that the payment would be made from development funds for fiscal 2006-07 with the no-objection certificate from the respective union council nazim.It decided that all the members would submit written suggestions in the next meeting summoned on Thursday. –-PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/11/local15.htm

Please leave this thread for the progress and update news.

Such negativity will not be tolerated anymore.

Bagh Ibne Qasim - looking beautiful!

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9232/baghibnqasim6un.jpg

Amazing! I have heard these panels not only provide electricity during sunny days but they can also store electricity in acid and can stay lit even during cloudy days. Such technology can surely lighten up Karachi! I am impressed.

Definately, we should have Solar panels for Parks and other recreational areas.

KESC would certainly love it.

Please leave this thread for the progress and update news.

Such negativity will not be tolerated anymore.
:runaway: :bash:
Danto to nahin yaar :D :weirdo: I accepted my msitake...

KARACHI: Rs2 billion special package for city

KARACHI, July 13: The Sindh government has allocated a special package of Rs2 billion for uplift works in Karachi under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the budget 2006-07.

According to a city government official, the Sindh government has devised a special package for the construction of roads, storm water drains, flyovers, to strengthen the existing municipal waste collection system, improvement of water and sewerage system, installation of pedestrian bridges during the next fiscal in the city.

Under the special package, the Sindh government will provide funds to the city government for the completion of the ongoing projects and to initiate new schemes.

After the release of funds, the pace of work on the ongoing projects would be accelerated, besides, new schemes would also be initiated, the official informed.

He said that the city government would build 15 pedestrian bridges on priority basis under the ADP in different parts of the city.—Online


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/14/local15.htm

KARACHI: Work on master plan reviewed

KARACHI, July 16: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the Karachi master plan is being prepared on solid grounds keeping in view the requirements of this city up to 2020.

We have formed 12 committees to work out and formulate proposals sector-wise and incorporate them in the master plan,” he said while speaking at a meeting convened here on Saturday to review the progress of work on the master plan.

Mr Kamal said that absence of a master plan had created numerous problems for Karachi. “It is unfortunate that this 7th biggest city of the world has no master plan. It is now being prepared, integrating the same with all the sectors to begin the development process in an organised way.”

He directed the concerned officials to expedite the work, and asked the relevant committees to finalise their reports at the earliest.

EDO Master Plan Iftikhar Qaimkhani gave a detailed briefing to the city nazim on the progress achieved so far.

He said studies had been carried out in all sectors, including housing, infrastructure, water and sewerage, power, gas, industries, education, health, transport, mass transit, etc., and now 12 committees were engaged in formulating their reports.

The meeting was told that for the first time, a digital base map had been included in the master plan that would help provide information about the underground utility services. Moreover, a digital information centre was being established at the Master Plan Department that would maintain records, including the database of all the utility service providers for future planning and guidance.

The Master Plan Department has also been exchanging information with the departments providing utility services so that their study reports could be incorporated in the plan.—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/17/local20.htm

KARACHI: Removal of encroachments at Sabzi Mandi ordered


By Habib Khan Ghori

KARACHI, July 16: The Kishan Chand Parwani Committee constituted by the chief minister to streamline the working of the new Sabzi Mandi and to check corruption in the market committee, has directed the market committee to remove encroachments from parking areas and all those allotments which were issued after the fixed date should be cancelled.

The president of Malir Wholesale Fresh Fruits Merchants Growers Association, Mohammad Javed, has asked the committee to pay a visit to the Sabzi Mandi for verification of ground realities and the situation prevailing in the mandi.

The committee, which was headed by former MNA Parwani, comprising former minister Abdul Hakim Baloch, secretary agriculture, senior member land revenue department, and secretary fisheries, has confirmed all allotments made by Brig Qadir including 180 KMC allotment after due date. However, 63 cases of the out-of-date allotment made by Col Javed Iqbal and 54 by administrator Abdul Jabber Abbasi and 109 by Mohammad Akbar Zardari were declared illegal and recommended for cancellation.

The committee has also decided that in cases of new comers, the area in vegetable section should be restricted to 120 sq-ft and in fruit section 300sq-ft. In case of excess area be deducted and allotted to genuine growers through balloting by the standing committee.

It may be recalled that the advisory committee on the affairs of the new Sabzi Mandi on Super Highway, which was constituted by the agriculture department in October last, was disbanded on the directive of food and agriculture adviser.

Meanwhile, welcoming the Parwani committee the stakeholders have appealed to the chief minister to include representatives of five Corps and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure its implementation enforced and implemented in letter and in spirit.

The committee was formed following reports of rampant corruption in the market committee and complaints of encroachment in parking areas and allotment of plots to more than one person and embezzlement in the money collected from vehicles as entry fee and etc.

However, when the AC asked the market committee to furnish details of the allottees, growers, and allotment to newcomers and details of entry fee and its record since the Sabzi Mandi was shifted to its new premises, and accounts of the market committee, along with balance sheet and etc, the advisory committee was shown the way in May.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/17/local10.htm

KARACHI: Shifting of illegal bus termini in doldrums

KARACHI, July 16: The public transport system in Karachi has been the most neglected sphere of civic life in this seventh largest city of the world. It continues to create mess most often as the bureaucrats concerned are yet to collect courage to challenge the ‘transport mafia’ responsible for the chaos.

In the first week of September last year, the Director General of Mass Transit and EDO Transport Malik Zaheerul Islam gave a briefing to Adviser to the Chief Minister on Local Government Waseem Akhtar on inter-city bus termini project.

The adviser was told that transporters had set up some 200 illegal bus termini in various parts of the city, including Old Sabzi Mandi, Sohrab Goth, M. A. Jinnah Road, Cantonment Station, Lea Market, PIDC, Mauripur, Garden Road, Nishtar Road, Benaras Chowk, Orangi Town and North Nazimabad.

He was informed that around 226 buses were parked at the Cantonment Station, 217 at Pathan Colony, 217 at Old Sabzi Mandi, 125 at Taj Complex, 100 at Lea Market and 55 at Patel Para every day as a routine.

He was further informed that three inter-city bus termini, -- at Yousuf Goth, Baldia Town on RCD Highway; Razaqabad, Landhi, on the National Highway; and at Deh Bhatti Umeri, Scheme 33, on the Superhighway – were planned whereas 60 per cent work on the Yousuf Goth terminal had been completed.

According to the plan, all buses operated on Karachi-Balochistan routes will use the RCD Road terminal, those operated between Karachi and interior Sindh/Punjab/NWFP will use the Super Highway terminal, and those operated between Karachi and certain parts of Sindh will use the National Highway terminal.

At the meeting, officials were asked to remove bottlenecks in the implementation of the plan and execution of the project so that all illegal bus termini in the city could be removed and the traffic congestion on major arteries could be eased.

However, more than 11 months after the meeting, the ground realities are almost unchanged. All illegal bus termini are still operating in the city with complete impunity and there are no signs of their shifting in near future.

Interestingly, the construction of Baldia Town terminal has been completed and, according to sources, tenders for its operation, management and maintenance have already been invited in the last week of May last.

On January 19 this year, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal while announcing a Rs24.78 billion foreign-funded mega project for the city, had announced that all termini handling the inter-city buses services between Karachi and Balochistan would be shifted outside the city by June 2006. However, it is mid-July now and the illegal bus termini are operating at the Old Sabzi Mandi and other areas as usual.

The situation arising out of the sorry state of the public transport system has not emerge in one day, rather it is the result of inaction, inertia and lack of courage on the part of bureaucracy for many years.

The running of more than 200 illegal bus termini in the largest city of the country for years needs no further comment. It shows a clear picture of the commitment of bureaucracy to resolve the chronic public transport issue and bring an end to the agonies of its millions of commuters.

All ambitious drives aimed at improving public transport system in Karachi, including introduction of the official yellow-white colour scheme for minibuses, allotment of route numbers to coaches and ensuring fitness of public transport vehicles, have failed to take off because of the failure of bureaucracy to translate its words into action.

The city government, in its budget for the current fiscal has tagged a hefty amount of Rs500 million for a detailed study of an environment-friendly public transport system under private-public partnership.

To give the city a modern, disciplined and efficient transport system certainly needs long-term studies on scientific lines but many aspects of the present public transport system needed quick action and not just studies.—PPI


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/17/local9.htm

KARACHI: Anarkali is dead

By Bhagwandas

KARACHI, July 17: Anarkali, the lone female elephant of the Karachi Zoological Gardens, died here on Monday morning. She was the oldest inhabitant and the main attraction for the visitors of the zoo, especially children.

The zoo authorities, referring to the autopsy report, said that she died of cardiac arrest due to old age. The normal life span of an elephant in captivity, according to them, is between 60-70 years and Anarkali was 65-years-old.

She had been providing joy rides to children visiting the zoo for the last four decades. As her health deteriorated consultant veterinarians had suggested that she be given rest. So the zoo authorities had cancelled the rides.

The zoo administration, looking at Anarkali’s popularity among the visitors — particularly children — had been trying to get another elephant for the past few years, but had not been successful.

Born in Burma Anarkali, unaware of the laws that govern the international boundaries, crossed over during a stroll to the then East Pakistan in 1950s.

The elephant herd had created havoc in the agricultural fields along the border areas and the farmers, whose crops had been destroyed, were crying for help.

A few wildlife experts were sent from here to assist the officials there who were finding it difficult to control or capture the herd of elephant. With the joint efforts many elephants were captured.

One of the elephants caught was brought to Karachi and kept at the house of a senior bureaucrat for some time. But as the elephant grew in size, it was donated to the zoo, where it was named, Anarkali.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/18/local3.htm

^ A bit sad myself, I saw a report on her a few months back on TV, she was in a bad shape ..

800 water supply, drainage schemes to be reactivated

CS for action against substandard varsities

Associated Press of Pakistan

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman has directed the Sindh Public Health Engineering Department to reactivate its 800 water supply and drainage schemes to adequately benefit the people.

He issued the directive in a meeting held under his chairmanship in which, as the federal government desired, the progress made so far in respect of the project for provision of clean drinking water to people in Sindh as elsewhere in the country, was reviewed.

The meeting was informed that federal environment ministry had installed 124 filtration plants throughout Sindh at Taluka level, and of these 19 had become operational.

The Public Health Engineering Department was directed to carry out physical survey of the installed but inoperative filter plants and submit its report so that headway could be made by making them functional.

The meeting was informed that TMAs had been sent MoU documents for signing in this regard.

It was stated that paper work for the second phase of the project was in progress and services of District Implementation Committees were being acquired for the selection of sites to start installation of filter plants by the end of August 2006 in coordination with the district administration.

The chief secretary asked the DCOs to carry out this task on priority to ensure its timely completion. The departmental liaison was also emphasised in this regard.

He asked DG PHED to survey the 100 PHED water supply and drainage schemes of Badin within a month and submit report.

He said preferentially report about 10 out of these 100 schemes be provided so that all the 800 schemes were completed phased-wise to benefit the people.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Chief Secretary directed the secretary education to take measures for maintaining standards in education sector.

He said this while addressing a meeting at his office Saturday.

Fazl-ur-Rehman said it was a responsibility of the Education Department to keep a check on illegal educational institutions.

Provincial Secretary for Education Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha, Secretary Law Ghulam Nabi Shah, Home Secretary Brig Ghulam Muhammad Mohtaram and Additional Secretary Education Qazi Arif Ali were present on the occasion.

Referring to a report of education expert Dr MS Qureshi, Fazl-ur-Rehman said about 24 private universities were operating in the province which should be bound to get permission for imparting education under rules and regulations.

The meeting agreed on initiating an action to regulate these illegal institutions under the rules and care would be observed in this regard so that the students’ education could not suffer while taking action.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNews.aspx?dtlid=49682&catid=2

KARACHI: City govt to set up mini fire stations


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, July 19: The city government has decided to set up mini fire stations at various places to overcome the shortage of such stations in the city.

Most of the stations would be set up underneath flyovers and other vacant places so that in case of fire in their vicinity, fire fighting engines could be rushed to the spot, the sources said. In the first phase, they said, a mini fire station would be set up beneath Gulshan-i-Iqbal Flyover, they added.

Although there were 20 fire stations functioning in the city, the fire department had the approval of only 12 fire stations’ employees. To overcome the shortage of employees for the remaining eight fire stations, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had recently approved 376 new posts. Besides, search and rescue teams would be set up with the federal government funds amounting to Rs350 million. The city government has also decided to purchase two new snorkels.

As a part disaster management arrangement, a number of equipments had been purchased at a cost of Rs650 million, which would be received by the city government shortly. In addition, 22 small vehicles would be handed over to the fire department for the disaster management setup. Besides, a number of life boats had already been purchased for rescuing the lives of beach visitors.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/20/local19.htm

CPG Consultants Wins 6-Million Square Feet Mixed Development Project in Pakistan


PRESS RELEASE - 19 JUNE 2006



CPG Consultants and Enshaa – NLC Developers Pte Ltd (Enshaa - NLC) have inked a contract on Thursday, 15 June, for the former to provide master planning and architectural design, as well as engineering, quantity surveying and interior design consultancy services, for a major mixed development project on Chundrigar Road, Karachi. This 6-million square feet development comprises hotels, residential, retail and offices. One of the towers will be an iconic building and will be the tallest buildings in Pakistan.

First phase of the development which involves the office blocks will commence immediately after the signing. The entire project is expected to be completed by end 2009. This is CPG Consultants’ largest project in Pakistan to-date.

Dr Timothy Seow, the CPG architect-in-charge of this project, said, “The master plan which aims to create a fully integrated living, working and leisure environment of international standard allows each of the land parcel in the development to be owned and developed independently but planned such that all the land parcels are accessibly interlinked to each other. The project will be a landmark in Karachi.”

Mr Mazhar ul Haq, CEO of Enshaa – NLC said, “CPG Consultants has established a reputable brand name in the Middle East, being the firm behind the design of the Emirates Financial Towers. As such, we have no doubt of their design capabilities and professionalism and confident that they are the ideal firm in master planning and designing this new mega development on Chundrigar Road.”

"The Pakistani economy has made an amazing rebound since the Asian financial crisis in the late nineties. We recognise that it is well on its way to being a sound platform for local and international investors alike” said Mr Pang Toh Kang, president and CEO of CPG Consultants. “We are proud to work with Enshaa - NLC on this ground breaking project. I am certain that this development will become an architecture icon in Pakistan.”

CPG Consultants is a Singapore-based design and consultancy services provider and has undertaken many prominent projects in the Asia-Pacific region. Some of the more notable projects include the Emirates Financial Towers in Dubai, the Youth Cultural House in Vietnam, Sun Star City Commercial Development (plot C) in the PRC, Singapore Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and a golf and country club in Lahore, Pakistan.

News Coverage on Lianhe Zaobao (20Jun06) and Business Times (22Jun06)


http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3893/chundrigarpixwb4.jpg

Old news.... already posted here ...
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=321716&page=2&pp=20

122 major roads get 1,000 new lights

Staff Report

KARACHI: The city government (CDGK) installed new streetlights, renovated old ones and painted electricity poles on all major streets of Karachi, said a CDGK spokesman Wednesday.

The CDGK spent over Rs 63 million on improving the overall lighting system on these streets and 1,198 new lights have been put up, 789 lights have been renovated and 933 electricity poles have been painted.

A lack of proper lighting has been a persistent problem and many roads have been dark in busy areas including M. A. Jinnah Road, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Shershah Soori Road, Karachi University Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, I. I. Chundrigar Road, Maulvi Tameezuddin Khan Road and S. M. Taufeeq Road, the spokesperson added.

Three hundred new lights and 45 electricity poles have been put up, and 150 poles renovated on M. A. Jinnah Road, 167 new lights were installed at Abul Hasan Isphani Road, 168 new lights at Business Recorder Road, 80 new lights and 40 new poles were put up and 30 old lights were renovated on Karachi University Road, 124 lights were renovated at the Urdu University bridge, 30 new lights were installed at new M. A. Jinnah Road, 56 new lights were put up at Rashid Minhas Road and 42 new lights were installed at Sea View.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\07\20\story_20-7-2006_pg12_3

KARACHI, July 21: A total of 20 centres fully equipped to check the vehicles polluting environment would be set up in Karachi by a Malaysian firm at a cost of $500 million.

This was stated by Adviser to the CM on Environment Noman Saigal, while speaking at a seminar on ‘Preventing Environmental Degradation’ here on Friday. The seminar was organised by the Helpline Trust.

The adviser said that transport vehicles were responsible for about 75 per cent of the pollution in Karachi. Lack of resources, including financial and administrative, was the main hurdle in checking spread of pollution, he said, adding he felt that 30 per cent of the health budget should be allocated for improvement of environment.

Mahmood Akhtar Cheema of the IUCN-World Conservation Union, said that there were about 1.5 million vehicles on city roads emitting smoke which happened to be 25 times more than the average vehicular emission in other major cities of developed countries.

He said 40 per cent of urban population faced health problems due to the rising pollution.

Justice (r) Shaiq Usmani said despite various law reforms, like the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council, Environment Protection Orders, etc., nothing better could be seen in respect of environment.

Ronald deSouza of NGO Shehri, Ms Marcia A. Grant, of the Aga Khan University, Ghayasuddin Ahmed, CEO General Trading, and Ms Nargis Alavi, Principal of the Habib Girls Public School, said that air and water pollution levels in Karachi had crossed international environment quality levels. She pointed out that the vast slums, overflowing drains, broken roads, unchecked crime, chaotic traffic and unbearable air and noise pollution had devastated the city’s environment.

The major causes of pollution are dust, industry, burning of solid waste and smoke-emitting vehicles, especially the two-stroke vehicles, diesel trucks, and buses. Use of low quality fuel in such vehicles aggravate the situation further.

Experts were of the view that air pollution through vehicular emission could be contained at different levels by installing pollution control devices and switching over to refined fuel and vehicles with modified design.

They suggested that registration of old buses and two stroke rickshaws and issuance of route permits to smoke-emitting vehicles be banned at the earliest. They called for the introduction of four-stroke rickshaws using CNG.

Karachi needs integrated policies and approach for sustainable environmental development, they said, stressing on enactment of laws and their effective implementation to check further damage to environment in the city.—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/22/local12.htm

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-11/1113934/beachpark.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-11/1113934/beachpark.JPG


this looks so awesome

wow! this looks amazing! I am so glad Karachi is finally starting to give some attention to developing its heritage!

I wish they would do the same with the grand KMC building, Empress Market and Khaliq Dina hall.

wonderful, thanks to the city government.

Nagan-Sharea Faisal link to be made signal-free
KARACHI: Nazim Karachi, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Monday, said that after making the SITE to Sharea Faisal corridor signal-free, the corridor from Nagan Chowrangi to Sharea Faisal will also be made signal-free.

He said the city government has planned flyover at Jauhar Morr and overall the CDGK is implementing development schemes worth Rs2.80 billion in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed Abul Hasan Isphahani Road on Sunday night. He inaugurated the road formally by personally driving his car.

The 3.5 kilometers long and 9-12 metres wide road from Super Highway to University road has been completed in one year at a cost of Rs109 million. The road, which will last for 20 to 30 years, has four lanes constructed after removal of encroachments and shifting of storm water drain and utility services.

The Karachiites showed great patience and tolerance in a difficult time, which bolstered our spirits and we could work for them, he said.

He said the people were complaining about dug up roads but these will now start diminishing gradually. Kamal said that Abul Hasan Isphahani road is being regarded as a model road because of its beauty and quality. Speaking on the occasion Nazim Gulshan Town, Wasey Jalil said the credit for these fast pace developments goes to Mustafa Kamal.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=17057

Finally! A flyover at Jauhar Mor is very much needed. I hope they make it cover the Dalmia intersection as well.

KARACHI: City govt signs deal on biogas project


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, July 24: A multi-purpose project called `Waste-to-Energy and Fertiliser’ will be set up at Landhi Cattle Colony by the city government in collaboration with the New Zealand government at an estimated cost of US$ 135 million.

According to City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, the pilot project being set up with the financial grant of New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) will be made operational in six months, producing around 15 tons enriched

organic fertiliser per day and natural gas (methane) which can be sold as CNG or converted to electricity up to 30 mega-watt.

Moreover, thousands of cubic metres of water which is, at present, being used for washing away dung at the cattle colony, will be saved and used for irrigation and watering purpose, the nazim informed, adding that since the cattle waste was being put to good use, the city will not only get rid of hazards of pollution but its sea will be saved from becoming dumping ground of cattle dung.

The nazim was speaking to newsmen shortly after an agreement to this effect was signed between the city government and Empower Consultants Ltd., the project’s executing agency. Mr Tony Woods of Empower Consultants Ltd and the city government’s district coordination officer, Fazalur Rehman, signed the accord on behalf of their respective sides.

Divulging into details of the project, Mr Kamal said that work on the Waste-to-Energy and Fertiliser project, for which the city government had provided four acres of land under private-public partnership project at Landhi Cattle Colony, would begin from July 25 and its first phase which would serve as pilot project would be made operational in six months.

Highlighting salient features of the project, the nazim said that the project on its completion would, on the one hand, produce enriched organic fertiliser, natural gas, CNG and electricity and, on the other, would help generate 3,000 jobs.

Deploring that the project’s executing firm which had been visiting government departments for the last several years for the establishment of such a plant, could not get any support owing to bureaucratic wrangling, but when its officials approached him three months back, he not only gave them green signal for initiating the project but also provided four acres of land for the purpose merely keeping in view the interest of city and its people.

Replying to question, the nazim said that domestic gas, CNG and electricity to be produced at the biogas plant in question could be used for the city government’s organisations, besides those residing in the Landhi Cattle Colony could also benefit.

Speaking on the occasion, representative of the executing firm, Mr Tony Woods, said that the project would utilise waste of about 7,000 buffaloes of Landhi Cattle Colony for producing fertiliser, natural gas, electricity, besides saving a considerable quantity of water which was, at present, being used for washing away dung.

“Having a rich experience in setting up such projects our firm is working in as many as 26 countries of the world in the same field,” he added.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/25/local4.htm

wow! this looks amazing! I am so glad Karachi is finally starting to give some attention to developing its heritage!

I wish they would do the same with the grand KMC building, Empress Market and Khaliq Dina hall.


swerveut why dont you email the nazim regarding this his email address is citynazim@karachicity.gov.pk

Karachi: Progress News & Updates (PART I) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=312395)

Daily news and updates for Karachi.

Signal-free corridor from Nagan Chowrangi to Sharah-e-Faisal

Associated Press of Pakistan

KARACHI: Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal Monday said that after making the SITE to Sharah-e-Faisal corridor signal-free the corridor from Nagan Chowrangi to Sharah-e-Faisal would also be made signal-free.

He said the city government had also planned a flyover at Jauhar More. The Haq Parast leadership was implementing development schemes worth Rs 2.80 billion in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, he said.

He was addressing a big gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed Abul Ispahani Road Sunday night. He inaugurated the road by personally driving his car.

The 3.5 kilometres long and 9-12 metres wide road from Super Highway to University Road has been completed in one year at a cost of Rs 109 million.

The road, which will last for 20 to 30 years, has four lanes constructed after removal of encroachments and shifting of storm water drain and utility services.

Mustafa Kamal said an unending journey of inauguration of development projects was starting with the opening of the Abul Ispahani Road.

"The people of Karachi will now hear news about the inauguration of one and the other mega project every week or every month", he said.

"The people of Karachi showed great patience and tolerance in a difficult period, which bolstered our spirits and we could work for them," he said.

He said the people of Karachi were complaining about dug up roads but these would now start diminishing gradually.

Mustafa Kamal said that Abul Ispahani road was being regarded as a model road because of its beauty and quality. But after few months every city road would be a model road, he added.

"We consider the public money as a trust with us and it will be used prudently", he said.

He pointed out that previously a newly constructed road would be used for 6-12 months but roads constructed by us would be used for 20 to 30 years.

He said the construction of drains on road sides for the disposal of rain water and shifting of utility services on one side of the road have been made part of bylaws so that quality of roads can be improved.

"People of Karachi are themselves seeing that wherever our mega projects are under implementation, every utility providing organization is at work there and now if any problem comes in a utility service, it could be rectified without affecting the road."

Mustafa Kamal said the work being done in our period are long life works and it benefits would continue to be reaped by the future generations.

www.thepost.com.pk

Roads Plunge Into Darkness At Night Sans Streetlights


The Nation - Karachi: Despite the tall claims of City District Government Karachi to install hundreds of new and repair faulty, out of order streetlights in the city has become false as some of the major thoroughfares are still in dark.

According to details, last week the city government claimed that Rs 63 million have been spent on improving the overall lighting system on 22 major thoroughfares after putting up 1,198 new lights, 789 renovated and 933 painted electric poles.

Due to the lack of coordination between the Transport and Communication Department and Works and Services Department of city government, there are dozens of major thoroughfares still in dark. In past, the repairing and installation task of streetlights had been given to Transport and Communication department. Now this task was assigned to the Works and Service department due to negligence of the T&C department. But the WSD also had not taken this task seriously and left road users on the mercy of darkness.

Currently, the busy roads like Jehangir Road from Teen Hatti to Lasbella, Numaish Chowrangi to Lasbella, Liaquatabad Road, some portion of Rashid Minhas Road, Shahrah-e-Ibn-e-Sina, road between Gulshan Chowrangi to Mukka Chow and many more are still in darkness and the city government officials had not taken any step to improve the lighting system.

It is also mentioned that the major portion of National Highway from the airport to Quaidabad, Landhi is without even a single streetlight and one can also witness dozens of the poles laying on the roadside without any bulb.

The lighting condition on many city bridges is also worst as the poles tilting there are without bulbs.

The city government is also wrong while saying that all the poles on Shahrah-e-Faisal have been painted.

Besides, the city government had not taken any measures to remove dozen poles lying on the roadside of Expressway (road between Baloch Colony to Korangi Crossing).

The citizens demanded the City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamalm, to take strict action against the concerned officials.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/26/SlideShow/pic13.jpg

KARACHI - July 25, 2006: Construction workers are busy in the initial work of a 46-storey IT Tower within the parking space of the Civic Centre building. The building will also have a facility to park around 2,500 vehicles.—Online



Source: Dawn (http://www.dawn.com)

26.07.06

By Our Staff Reporter

Karachi: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal took serious notice on the slow pace of work at Karsaz Flyover and asked DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman to take action against the contractor.

According to the details, the city nazim along with DCO and other officials visited different sites of ongoing development projects on Tuesday to review the current progress.

The nazim took serious notice at Karsaz Flyover as the slow pace of work and said that it would cause delaying the project. He asked DCO Karachi to take stern action against the contractor who creating delaying in the work and negligence. Later he visited National Stadium flyover, Hassan Square flyover, underpasses of Gharibabad, Liaquatabad and Nazimabad and asked the contractors to accelerate the pace of work and these should be finished before September.

nation.com.pk

well well Nazim Mustafa Kamal is active!

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed the concerned officials to conduct a survey and study for making all the major corridors of the metropolis signal-free.

He said construction of flyovers and underpasses would start accordingly to make second and third corridors signal-free soon after provision of the same in a few months at corridor from Site to Sharea Faisal.

Addressing a high-level meeting at Camp Office on Tuesday night, Kamal stressed the need for conducting survey and study to provide signal-free corridors so that augmenting traffic problems in the city could be contained. In light of the Nazim’s directive, the city government has started survey and study of major corridors, the CDGK sources said.

The route from Site to Sharea Faisal is called Corridor-I where construction work of three underpasses and three flyovers is under way, which will be completed in next few months.

Corridor-II will be from Sharea Faisal to UP More and Corridor-III from Jail Chowrangi to Safoora Goth. The CDGK Works & Services Department has initiated survey and study of these two corridors. A proposal is also under consideration to extend Corridor-II to Rashid Minhas Road, which is used by the residents of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, FB Area, Buffer Zone, New Karachi, North Nazimabad and FB Industrial Area and considered as one of the busiest roads of the city.

Sharea Faisal, Askari-IV roundabout, Jauhar More right turn, NIPA intersection, Gulshan Chowrangi intersection, UBL Complex right turn, Sohrab Goth intersection, Shafiq More right turn, Nagan Chowrangi intersection, UP More right turn lie in Corridor-II.

Intersection at Sharea Faisal and NIPA Chowrangi has already been made whereas Sohrab Goth interchange is being constructed with a cost of Rs590 million. The remaining spots need to be included in the corridor. The proposal has been given to do this in three phases; planning and study in first phase, designing and issuing tender in second, and construction in the last phase.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=17371

KARACHI, July 26: A spokesman for the city government has said the construction work of the proposed IT Tower has not yet started.
Clarifying a photo of the tower published in a section of the press, the spokesman said in a statement on Wednesday that it was the picture of a guarder made for the under-construction Hasan Square flyover. —PPI



Source: Dawn e-Paper (http://epaper.dawn.com)

^ that's exactly what i thought once i saw the pics. there's no escavation...for a 42 story building a lot of preparations take place.
i wonder when the hassan square flyover will be done/

damn i hate "online" more than ever!!!!!

The KPT 3-Tier Flyover *Updates*

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/90f4b033.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/3421e3a0.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/ffb885c8.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/e4f55c11.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/3c123cdb.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/ce1e41d4.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/dd748e69.jpg

Excellent updates Fahad! Thanks a lot!

Seems like work is indeed going very slow on this project.

^ Thanks,

I couldnt go towards Creek city today, but I'll get those in a couple of days aswell.

I'll get some pictures of the Malls u/c on Tariq road by tomorrow.

Wow great pics Fahad. BTW I seem to have missed out on this KPT 3 tier flyover thing...whereabouts is it being constructed??? is it the one on 'Hino Chowrangi'?

^^ precisely

Yeah that is the one thats being built in place of the Hino Roundabout.

fahad whats happening with atrium mall get some pictures of it as well and if you could get inside get some interior shots is well.

also try get an update on that other shopping mall with the word name 'bara shopping market' or something like that.

Atrium Mall still looks under construction, but i'll manage some if I go there..

FahadKhan, that are some really good pictures. Good work man. I think you can become our special Karachi reporter.

Crescent Bay, Karachi

well it doesnt really look great in this picture, i found on emaars profile at wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emaar
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/60/Crescent_Bay_1.jpg

KARACHI: New road to connect Surjani with Super Highway: Kamal


KARACHI, July 28: Work on a new road connecting Surjani Chorangi with the Super Highway will start soon as final approval for the project has been given, says Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal.

He was addressing during a meeting with chairman of the House Building Finance Corporation Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi here on Friday.

He said after the road’s construction, people living in Surjani and adjoining areas would not have to come to Nagan Chowrangi or Sohrab Goth to reach the Super Highway.

Mustafa Kamal said that in less than nine months, a foreign investment of $90 million hads been made here with the efforts of City District Government Karachi.

These projects were not merely on paper, but work on them had already started, he said, adding that incentives and maximum facilities would be provided to local investors interested in CDGK projects. The city government did not linger on in taking decisions, he said.

The City Government, he said, had carried out fast-track development works during the past nine months and had taken a number of steps to provide facilities to people.

City Nazim pointed out that there would have been a water crisis in the city overshadowing the current power crisis if the K-III project had not been completed ahead of schedule. He said that the potential crisis had been averted because the City Government had planned in advance and people were supplied enough water during the summer.

He said ongoing projects made him feel as if Karachi was being constructed anew as nothing had been done in the past for its reconstruction and development, adding that no planning had been done.

For the first time, he informed, work was being done on the Master Plan.

Referring to the balloting of 80-square-yard plots and the start of work on infrastructure in Taiser Town, he said that construction of better roads was under way and soon shelter would be provided to thousands of people.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/29/local3.htm

Pakboy, thats just a bad rendering from afar. I wouldnt go by it.

Also, I am pretty sure the experience would be MUCH different.
btw, this is also a residential project, so its good if it isnt overwhelmingly dense. Karachiites like serene places which are very rare in the city.

edit= the wikipedia page says that it was launched on May 31st 2006, but I emailed Emaar and they said that it is still in the works and due for a launch soon. Maybe the design will have been refined more by then.

^^ i agree with you! but if we do go by this i think they need more buildings! view from a high rise building would look amazing, one side would look over the arabian see and the other side lokking over karachi!

Its going to be made in Phase VIII. You can hardly get a view of Karachi from that far.
I think its a pretty nice design. They plan for a total of 4000 apartments. That means at least 4000x3 = 12,000 people living there! I hope they dont make it more dense than it already is.

I dont mind the high-rise construction in DHA Ph. 8, but I am a bit alarmed at the rate which the mangroves off Ph. 8 are reducing, this could end up a serious issue for karachi if god forbid there is a similar disaster as the one in Indonesia.

I dont mind the high-rise construction in DHA Ph. 8, but I am a bit alarmed at the rate which the mangroves off Ph. 8 are reducing, this could end up a serious issue for karachi if god forbid there is a similar disaster as the one in Indonesia.
which disaster, due to the reduction of mangroves, are you talking about? :runaway:

I dont mind the high-rise construction in DHA Ph. 8, but I am a bit alarmed at the rate which the mangroves off Ph. 8 are reducing, this could end up a serious issue for karachi if god forbid there is a similar disaster as the one in Indonesia.

i hope that never happens! karachi/pakistan has already gone through too much politically :|...

Industrial parks to generate employment: PM opens KCIP project

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, July 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the federal government is in the process of finding appropriate patches of lands all over the country to set up a chain of industrial parks in order to open new avenues for jobs through increasing industrial growth.

Efforts are being made to equip these industrial parks with all the facilities, he said while addressing the project commencement ceremony of Korangi Creek Industrial Park and Karachi Tools, Dyes and Moulds Centre at the Sindh Governor House on Saturday.

The idea behind setting up of these industrial parks is to get closer the private and public sector partnerships so that issues of joblessness and poverty can also be addressed through opening up of new job avenues.

He recalled that investors had doubts in their mind before purchasing a land regarding land encroachment and speculative trading had pushed up land prices at phenomenal levels that hampered industrial development. In order to eradicate these hindrances, the government had decided to enhance the role of both private and public sectors.

He urged the competent authority, which looks after the Korangi Creek Industrial Park, to give the plots to only genuine investors and industrialists and check before handing over the plots. He said that the authority should also check that the plots were being given to potential users instead of land speculators and grabbers.

He said that poverty and joblessness had reduced in Pakistan but these two important issues still exist and they can be handled through opening new industrial clusters in the new industrial parks.

Shaukat Aziz said that the government was trying to change country’s image from being a “textile country” which accounts for 60 per cent of the economy. “We now should and will be called a diversified country and not a textile country,” he said adding that the government is actively focussing in boosting value addition in engineering, information technology (IT) and other potential sectors. He urged the private sector to come up and play its due role.

On rising cost of doing business, he said that the era of demanding subsidies and other incentives had gone. It is time to find out fresh ways and means to control the business cost. For example, he said the government was trying to enhance public and private sector partnerships so that the role of private sector could be enhanced by reducing public sector interference to speed up industrial activities.

The government, he said, is also focussing on improving skills of labour and the new industrial parks would have the facility in improving the skills of workers through government-owned and the private sector skill and technical training centres. By getting the training, a worker will have chance to improve his pay scale and get higher salaries besides it will help in improving the quality of locally produced goods as well as improving the standard of workers’ life.

The premier said that Pakistan was facing challenges like improving productivity at the domestic level and competitiveness of its goods in the foreign markets. There is no second grade of product that competes in the world markets. Only high quality goods lure the buyers.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Jehangir Khan Tareen advised the industrialists to hire skilled workers which could be of big help in reducing their cost of production through their skills and expert working.

The Korangi Creek Industrial Park (KCIP) is spanned over 250 acres of land in which sectors like garments, IT, gem and jewellery, packaging, food processing have been targeted. The infrastructure development work will kick off from August 14.

Munir Banna of Karachi Tools, Dyes and Moulds Centre said that 35 per cent civil work would be completed by October. The centre will be equipped to raise the skill level of 550 workers annually as part of it training activities.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/30/ebr1.htm

I dont mind the high-rise construction in DHA Ph. 8, but I am a bit alarmed at the rate which the mangroves off Ph. 8 are reducing, this could end up a serious issue for karachi if god forbid there is a similar disaster as the one in Indonesia.


This article is a study of whats going on with the mangroves near Karachi. The study was carried out by IUCN. Very insightful and worth a look:

http://casestudies.lead.org/index.php?cscid=143

Also read some of the other topics covered in this case study (linked on the right-side bar) that detail how pollution is seeping into the waters near Karachi and affecting the worlds largest dry-zone mangrove system adversely.

which disaster, due to the reduction of mangroves, are you talking about? :runaway:

I am referring to the Tsunami disaster, if Karachi has an effective mangrove growth, the level of impact can be reduced, while if the mangroves disappear, it is more like throwing a big bucket of water at karachi.

Swerveut: Thanks for the info!

Chinese investors interested in mass transit project Corridor-II
Saturday July 22, 2006 (1611 PST)

KARACHI: The Chinese investors have expressed their interest in the development of Karachi Mass Transit Project Corridor-II and have said that work on this project would start soon.
A delegation of Chinese investors called on the City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office on Saturday. On the occasion, the DG Karachi Mass Transit Cell Malik Zaheerul Islam and EDO Revenue Salah Ahmed Farooqi were also present.

The city nazim informed the Chinese investors about the development project continuing in the city and invited them to invest in the city as there was ample opportunities of the business, besides, the city government would also provide every possible help to them in this regard.

The Chinese investors were briefed about the six corridors of Karachi Mass Transit Project and informed them that the proposals were already submitted for the development of light rail mass transit system on Corridor-I from Tower to Sohrab Goth and the it was under scrutiny.

The investors had showed their interest in Corridor-II for the development of mass transit system from Orangi Town to Cantonment Station via Goliamar and Garden.

http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?150398

SUSTAINABLE MIXED USE TOWER, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

AZHAR architecture in collaboration with Designers East, Lahore, have completed the feasability of a 30 storey mixed use (hotel, offices, and residential) sustainable tower in Karachi, Pakistan. The site is near the seafront in one of Karachis most expensive areas.

http://www.azhararchitecture.com/news.html

KESC's faulty electrical setup causes a massive traffic mess;
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/52799be7.jpg

The unknown building opposite the FTC building;

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/55dc7708.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/bedc8e75.jpg

Brand new underpass was completed in a "record time" of 6 months.....No wonder!!!

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9071/310720060481df6.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=310720060481df6.jpg)

That area looks really bad. Where is it on the map?

All effective plans fail to control monsoon rains in Karachi

A picture I took of Sharea Faisal;
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/c07989f9.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/a5f8466e.jpg

Unfortunately my Alto fell victim too, the car didnt stop due to water sweeping into the Silencer, but for some reason water poured inside the car into the driver's, passenger and rear seat areas, though it was not severe as it was only limited to the "feet" areas, but still I wonder how and why water came inside .. maybe through the bottom areas of the doors? And if anyone can advice as to what I should do, most probably it will dry up when I check on it in the morning, but any precautions?

Brand new underpass was completed in a "record time" of 6 months.....No wonder!!!

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9071/310720060481df6.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=310720060481df6.jpg)

Is this for real?

The KPT Admiral and the City's Fire authorities are working on pumping the water out, and they will most probably get it dryed up by tomorrow.

But the most astonishing thing is that people had actually warned the KPT staff (since they were the ones who built the Underpass), to keep a check on the underpass's drainage system as it could fail in these record levels of monsoon rains, and that's exactly what happened, it failed.

:hahaha:

That underpass picture is an ultimate classic! It deserves to be on some funny pictures site or something. What a mockery of the FWO!

How much rain is Karachi getting? I ve been seeing some intense pictures of flooding, did we break any records?

^^ probablly not... this happens evey year! its cuz we not no drainage system. the only way to get rid of the water is for it to dry up. :(

nice pics fahad

yes good pic.....
KPT blame city governoment for the flooding of underpass.....
They says kpt flyover has proper drainage system.... it was flooded because of rain water form other roads which overload the drain system of under pass

^^ probablly not... this happens evey year! its cuz we not no drainage system. the only way to get rid of the water is for it to dry up. :(

we have drainage system in karachi....the flooded sharah-e-faisal in the pics do have rain water drainage system on both side of the road... but unfortunately its chocked with polethene bags.

And the City Nazim said that everything has been cleared and that they have completed their monsoon planning, while Karachi looks like Venice, only with sewage and water mixed up.

I would certainly love to see someone, anyone from the City Govt. RESIGN over this issue.

I live in Karachi and believe me it is HELL these days, my car got flooded, my clothes get messy and on top of that the Taxi drivers are charging 50-100% more.

KPT said that underpass pumps have a maximum capacity which depended on the design and the situation of the area. The KPT blamed city government because they failed to clean up the drains of adjacent roads which resulted in all the water from all around congregating in the underpass and thus overwhelming the pumps.

deyum! it looks like the whole areas water has come down to the underpass. they need to fix things up fast. this is a lesson to learn from...i seriously hope they fix things up here.

Looks more like the KPT River!

HAHAHA..yeah i kno dude.....but i seriously love our nazim...he is da best(sarcastically)...i live near da under pass..and wheneever i went near it..i only saw kpt people working there trying to pump out the water...there fire brigades and everything...and he turns around and says i did all this....as if..he was thr doing it himself...when infact cos of him, da water was directed to da underpass drainage area....
But...you kno what...once the underpass was made...the city gov should have inspected it..and taken care of it...cos kpt made it..now its for them to take care of it...its not kpt's job... But how kpt didnt have pumps that were good enough to cater this, i also dont understand....

Brand new underpass was completed in a "record time" of 6 months.....No wonder!!!

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9071/310720060481df6.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=310720060481df6.jpg)


But this isnt fair...one end we keep complaining ..dat come on..make it already...open it...we dont want to go through trafic jams ..yada yada yada...then we sit here and complain that see this hapened cos of da record timing....This took place beccause our infrastructure is screwed up.....

now nazim stated that KPT flyover is still underconstruction.... its drainage system and pumps are still to be fitted.

But this isnt fair...one end we keep complaining ..dat come on..make it already...open it...we dont want to go through trafic jams ..yada yada yada...then we sit here and complain that see this hapened cos of da record timing....This took place beccause our infrastructure is screwed up.....

Am I the one complaining? Read your post again

Friday, August 04, 2006

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) would soon introduce new buses in Karachi in coordination with a Dubai-based company, said City Nazim Mustafa Kamal at a meeting held with a delegation of Dubai investors Thursday.

VANHOOL, the Dubai-based company, briefed the nazim about the company and offered to invest in the transport system of Karachi for which Kamal asked them to study the remaining four mass transit corridors. He said that the CDGK was working to improve the infrastructure of Karachi and the city has been divided into corridors to overcome traffic problems. Work has already started on Corridor-I and a Chinese company has completed its study on Corridor-II as well, he added.
APP

www.dailytimes.com.pk

^^ Bullshi+! If work has already started on Corridor I, WE NEED TO KNOW THE DETAILS! this sounds like a shady deal to me. No company was announced, no plans were made available to the public, no transparency what so ever! We need to take action on this.

As far as the buses go, whatever happened to the 2000 or so buses that were imported from Sweden recently? did they vanish into thin air? what the hell is going on with the govt. and why does it keep giving mixed signals? Inefficiency at its peak!

City needs to be under control of one authority: Kamal

* The CDGK is responsible for only 32 percent of the city, the nazim argues; what about the other institutions that control 60 percent?

By Intikhab Ali

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) and the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) have traded allegations over who is responsible for the flooding at the Clifton underpass. For many citizens, this tiff is a reflection of a larger problem: who is responsible for what in Karachi?

In fact, the CDGK has been at great pains to point out that it only has authority over 32 percent of land in the city while the six cantonment boards (Clifton, Malir, Manora, Karachi, Defence, Korangi Creek, Shahra-e-Faisal) Defence Housing Authority, Pakistan Railways, Karachi Port Trust, Public Works Department (PWD) and Civil Aviation Authority hold the rest. "Unless and until a single unit with command authority does not become responsible for the civic issues of the city, the matter will remain unsolved," said City Nazim Mustafa Kamal while talking to Daily Times Friday. Just a day earlier, Kamal had made this very same statement in answer to the allegations from the KPT that the CDGK was responsible for the flooding at the underpass.

Kamal also said that the federal authorities have been informed that the city is spreading fast and its problems have multiplied. "The division of authority does not solve matters for the citizen," he added.

The Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) has twice complained in its daily briefings this week that its teams have been stopped from repairs and digging in the cantonment board areas.

It is a myth that the CDGK is responsible for the entire city. Unfortunately, this myth is propagated by the CDGK's extensive presence in the media as opposed to the silence of the cantonment boards and DHA to a large extent.

Who controls Karachi becomes an important question and is in fact one that will gain more urgency in the years to come with the city's development. Town planners and civic experts have insisted to the federal and provincial governments that the city should have one master - Master plan 2020 is being prepared these days - and is haunted by the same question: Will the master plan apply to only 32 percent of the city or the whole of it?

Sources said that the cantonment boards and DHA did not want the CDGK's master plan to be implemented in their areas.

Old data gives some kind of an impression of the extent of the land ownership. According to data prepared by the Master Plan and Environmental Control Unit of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) in 1988, nearly 400,000 acres of the 425,529 acres that make up Karachi's metropolitan area is in some form of public ownership. Government of Sindh owns 137,687 acres, KDA 124,676 acres, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) 25,259 acres, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) 24,189 acres, Army Cantonment Board 18,596 acres, Pakistan Steel Mills 19,461 acres, Defense Housing Society 16,567 acres, Port Qasim 12,961 acres, Government of Pakistan 4,051 acres and Pakistan Railways 3,119 acres. In the late 1990s, the undeveloped land belonging to KDA was transferred to the Malir Development Authority (MDA) and Lyari Development Authority (LDA).

The Defence Housing Authority has purchased 12,000 acres of land from the Sindh government along the Super Highway and will build Phase II of Defense Housing Society.

The authority came into existence through Presidential Order No.7 of 1980 and was later approved by the National Assembly of Pakistan. The Authority is spread over 8,852 acres and provides civic facilities to millions of residents.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\08\05\story_5-8-2006_pg12_1

^^ I think the government needs to take strict notice of this. Cantonment boards are very inefficient and have traditionally hampered any development activities. I think that with the exception of legitimate military cantonments and the DHA, all cantonment boards should hand over their power to the CDGK and the federal govt should make sure that the CDGK is the top authority in the city, answerable only to the judiciary and the federal government. Unless we have efficient and simplified systems, everything will continue to hole itself up into a big mess.
Simplification of the authority chain is what we need!

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=18620


MoU signed to build seven-star hotel
By our correspondent

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with governments of four Gulf States for construction of the country’s first seven-star hotel, a world-class shopping plaza and multi-storey residential and commercial centres in Karachi.

The construction work of these projects will start this year. The MoU was inked by DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman on behalf of the CDGK and Consul Generals of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman on behalf of their respective in a ceremony held at a local hotel here on Friday.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, CDGK EDOs, officials and notable of the city attended the ceremony.

Dr Ebad, speaking on the occasion, said City Nazim Mustafa Kamal was working with a vision for the development of the city which would have long-term impact.

Congratulating the Nazim for entering into the agreement, he described the MoU as a unique development towards making Karachi a mega city.

The governor assured the city Nazim of federal and provincial governments’ full support in carrying out the ongoing uplift works and hoped that the projects initiated by CDGK would bring a remarkable development to the city.

Mustafa Kamal in his address said it was his vision and efforts that a foreign investment of $900 billion had already been made in the city and today agreement had been signed for a billion US dollar investment.

He pointed out that the city is short of world-class hotels and those in the city always remain booked in advance for one year as a large number of foreign and local financiers were visiting the city.

While residential needs of the citizens had also increased, he added.

Giving details about the MoU, the Nazim said these projects would be initiated on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis and more such projects would be launched soon.

so any designs or any more details....why don't they give proper info out...

seven star hotel? I'll only believe it when i see it.

The nazim has GOT to be kidding!! the only 7-star hotel in the world is the Burj-al-Arab!!

Neither is our economy strong enough nor does Karachi have enough tourism potential at the moment to attract the kind of people who would be willing to spend their money to stay in a 7-star hotel in Pakistan!

Our nazims and govt officials live in castles in the air.

City center shapping mall at shahra-e-faisal near awami markaz karachi..
its seems to be bigger then dolmen shoping mall tariqroad

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/30072006003.jpg

Is that right next to the Awami Markaz?

Is that right next to the Awami Markaz?

yes... it is.

yeah i saw it too
its really a big project

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=18620


MoU signed to build seven-star hotel
By our correspondent

KARACHI: The City District Government Karachi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with governments of four Gulf States for construction of the country’s first seven-star hotel, a world-class shopping plaza and multi-storey residential and commercial centres in Karachi.

The construction work of these projects will start this year. The MoU was inked by DCO Karachi Fazlur Rehman on behalf of the CDGK and Consul Generals of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman on behalf of their respective in a ceremony held at a local hotel here on Friday.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, CDGK EDOs, officials and notable of the city attended the ceremony.

Dr Ebad, speaking on the occasion, said City Nazim Mustafa Kamal was working with a vision for the development of the city which would have long-term impact.

Congratulating the Nazim for entering into the agreement, he described the MoU as a unique development towards making Karachi a mega city.

The governor assured the city Nazim of federal and provincial governments’ full support in carrying out the ongoing uplift works and hoped that the projects initiated by CDGK would bring a remarkable development to the city.

Mustafa Kamal in his address said it was his vision and efforts that a foreign investment of $900 billion had already been made in the city and today agreement had been signed for a billion US dollar investment.

He pointed out that the city is short of world-class hotels and those in the city always remain booked in advance for one year as a large number of foreign and local financiers were visiting the city.

While residential needs of the citizens had also increased, he added.

Giving details about the MoU, the Nazim said these projects would be initiated on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis and more such projects would be launched soon.

Our journalists need to get their numbers right. $900 Billion in investment into Karachi? hahaha. Another instance of this is when they talked about the london black-taxi exporting program, which would export 9000 taxis to generate $2.8 Billion per year... that would mean each taxi would sell for about $300,000. Our journalists need to proofread what they print.

Our journalists need to get their numbers right. $900 Billion in investment into Karachi? hahaha. Another instance of this is when they talked about the london black-taxi exporting program, which would export 9000 taxis to generate $2.8 Billion per year... that would mean each taxi would sell for about $300,000. Our journalists need to proofread what they print.
Atcually Pakistan's GDP is $130 billion(karachi metro has a GDP of app. $25 billion).....so how can be there an investment of $900 billion????????????????????????
..........he must have typed it wrong or something(it may be $900 million)

Atcually Pakistan's GDP is $130 billion(karachi metro has a GDP of app. $25 billion).....so how can be there an investment of $900 billion????????????????????????
..........he must have typed it wrong or something(it may be $900 million)

Yes it might be $900million, but the point is that our journalists need to proofread what they write. There's a massive difference between 900 Million and 900 Billion.

KARACHI: Nazim calls for speedy work on projects

KARACHI, Aug 10: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has called for an accelerated pace of development works on Corridor-I so that these are completed in time.He said timely completion of these projects would further increase the existing economic and business activities in Karachi besides providing better and fast communication facilities to people.

He was presiding over a meeting held on Thursday to review the development works of Corridor-I and other ongoing schemes.

On the occasion, the nazim was also given a briefing on the post-rain pace of work on development projects.

The meeting was informed that the construction work of Corridor-I had not suffered because of rains. Although there had been some delay, no technical complications occurred and, therefore, work on all projects of this corridor would be completed on time.

It was pointed out that work on the Hasan Square flyover was progressing satisfactorily and 50 per cent work had been carried out with no problem faced. The under-ground structure had completed and nine girders built. The construction work conforms to the international standard and modern construction technique was being employed.

The meeting was told that 75 per cent work on the National Stadium flyover too had been completed and would be over in time while big and small girders were almost ready.

However, it was stated, work on the Karsaz flyover was relatively slow, but underground structure had been completed to a great extent and the basic foundation was ready. This project too was expected to be completed by the year end.

It was informed that the Gharibabad, Liaquatabad and Nazimabad underpasses were not affected by rains while at the Liaquatabad underpass the 42 inch diameter pipeline got damaged at one manhole because of landsliding but it was repaired.It was stated that work on one track of the Liaquatabad underpass had been completed and now sidewalls were under construction.

The rain had not affected any part of the Liaquatabad underpass technically and once the rainwater dried up, the construction work would be carried out with full speed.

DRAIN SURVEY: The city government has decided to carry out a comprehensive survey for laying rainwater disposal system in the city, from mohallahs and streets to major roads.

The nazim said that there had been no water disposal system in the city as a result of which rainwater used to remain accumulated on roads.

He said a survey of all the city government, towns and UC roads would also be conducted.

The city government, Mustafa Kamal said, had already chalked out a policy whereby in future no road would be built without a drainage system.

During the survey, the nazim said, it would be ascertained as to how many kilometres of rainwater drains or other drains would be needed and water of which area would go into which drain.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/11/local6.htm

What the he!! does he mean by work on corridor I? This obviously isnt mass transit work.

The CDGK is being too sketchy.

Corridor I obviously means those 3 under passes and the flyovers at Karsaaz, Hasan Square and Time Medicos :s

So if this is corridor I, the mass transit one is "Mass Transit Corridor-I"? Wtf

confussing man

EoI for Corridor II:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/kt10208/Development/rail_transit.jpg

hey anyone any update on squareone projects plz

What the hell happened to Corridor I though????

The authorities are strangely silent! Corridor I was the first priority corridor based on studies that had been carried out. It has the most traffic!

CDGK needs to come up with an answer and quick!


ALSO: THE RETARDS GAVE THE WRONG EMAIL ADDRESS!!
its dgkmtc@karachicity.gov.pk and not .gov.pak (that returns ur message undelivered)

I have emailed this DG guy and have asked him to tell us about what the heck is really going on with the KMTP Corridor I. I would request you all to please do so as well.

KARACHI: Another protected site being demolished


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Aug 11: The Captain House, a solid stone building in Saddar area which is protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Act, has been demolished partially while its owner, denying manual demolition, claims that the decaying old structure has started falling down.

Heritage lovers, calling various provincial authorities and Dawn, have reacted to the demolition work saying that this is the third protected building in Saddar area that has succumbed to the greed of those who have not only compromised on heritage but also on the law of the land. They wondered that the violators of law would always escape any action, arguing that this had only been encouraging others to play havoc with heritage sites without any fear. Many people, some of them having their residences or work place within the vicinity, expressed the same views when contacted by Dawn. When asked whether the structure had fallen down due to dilapidation, they revealed that labourers in a good number were seen carrying out the demolition work in the late hours during rainfall a few days back. The structure was without a ceiling and stone walls before they left before dawn, they added.

They said that the building was lying vacant for quite some time as the property had been sold out by its previous owners who probably intended to construct a high-rise at the site. Inquiries show that the solid stone building was owned by a Christian family that has sold it out recently.

According to the Sindh Cultural Heritage Act, nobody, including the owner, could demolish or carry out any kind of construction work in a building protected under the Act, which prescribes long prison terms and heavy fines on violators. Over 700 architecturally important buildings have been protected under the Act.

Since most of these pre-partition structures are located in the down town areas of the city and the land on which these structures stand have become extremely expensive, their owners have been making desperate attempts to demolish the structures in violation of the Act to pave the way for the construction of new buildings on their sites, sources in the relevant departments say.

According to them, the owners of such properties now take proper course and first manage to get these buildings declared as ‘dangerous’ and then have it demolished.

The sources said that the new owner of the Captain House, Mohammad Asif Sakaria, had also approached to the Karachi Building Control Authority for the same purpose and had managed to get it declared as ‘dangerous’ and recommended for demolition, ignoring that it’s status was ‘a protected site’.

Mr Sakaria has now informed the KBCA that his building (SB 1-82) which was recommended for demolition by the KBCA’s Dangerous Buildings Committee has fallen down due to rains and the neighbours had been asking him to demolish the structure fully to avoid any casualty.

The KBCA, after getting this report from the owner, carried out a survey and prepared a report, and was now about to seek directives from the Sindh Culture Department on whether to allow demolition of the remaining part of the building.

Meanwhile, responding to Dawn queries, the Sindh Culture Department said that the Captain House was a protected site and in the list of the protected sites, it was at number 56. The department had also dispatched a team to carryout a survey. Before the Captain House, two other protected structures – Palia House and Olympia Building – located in the same vicinity have already been demolished.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/12/local8.htm

This systematic destruction of Karachi's heritage has GOT to be stopped!

Karachi’s business map taking new shape


By Sabihuddin Ghausi

KARACHI, Aug 11: Slowly but steadily Karachi’s business geography is changing as new chains of warehouses and small commercial and industrial establishments are developing in the dense residential areas of the city and offices are moving out from what was the only one business district I.I. Chundrigar Road (old M’Cleod Road) to Clifton, Defence, Sharah-e-Faisal and almost all parts of the city.

Sharah-e-Faisal is fast becoming a new business centre with high-rise buildings, offices of the banks, IT and financial services locations. During day it takes more than an hour to drive from Jinnah Terminal to centre of the city because of traffic congestion. Only 15 years ago, the entire patch of Shahrah-e-Faisal was quite, desolate and almost haunted. More business offices are shifting to Shahrah-e-Faisal because of its nearness to airport. “It is easy to bring our foreign buyers to our office at Shaharah-e-Faisal than at Chundrigar Road,” a textile dealer said.

Clifton and Defence are other places where business offices are shifting. A business leader of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has counted 135 business addresses in Defence and about 225 in Clifton. “Chundrigar Road has become too congested and at times almost impossible to pass through,” a senior banker said.

Because of more than four per cent annual population growth mainly caused by unending influx of immigrants, unplanned and unabated expansion of the city in all directions, some 15 million people endure electricity breakdowns, water shortages, an unbearable public transport system and equally nerve-racking traffic congestion and frightening rise in street crimes, but they do business in almost all parts of the city.

They are in the business as entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, office workers, self-employed, artisans, labourers, masons, plumbers, technicians, electricians, cart pullers, shop keepers and what not in all parts of the city. The real Karachi is now no more confined to port vicinity, Chundrigar Road and Jodia Bazar. The business Karachi is now all over the city from Keamari to Landhi and to North Karachi right up to Surjani Town.

One can count more than a dozen textile mills constructed or are under construction and as many as other manufacturing factories as one drives on the National Highway to Steel Mills. Business expansion in this area is on fast rise and is now threatening the famous Chaukhandi graveyard a heritage of Sindh.

The two sides of the Superhighway are dotted with farm houses. Farm houses do roaring business as they provide a place to relax. These farm houses have been developed on one and two acres allotted to businessmen about 20 years ago to develop poultry farms or livestock farms. Instead many of these are now farm houses depending on the underground water and electricity of installed generators. These farm houses offer packages to the people for picnic. There are corporate packages too and small companies hold their meetings or entertain their clients.

Gadap was once proposed to be the capital of Pakistan. Back in 1950s Gadap was planned to be seat of power with a parliament, central secretariat, many government buildings and official residences. The Federal B Area and North Nazimabad were designated to be satellite towns of the capital while the main Karachi was to be Latin Quarters. Nothing of this sort happened as Ayub Khan moved capital to Potohar near his home in 1960. But people are gradually taking business to Gadap and Nazimabad. Offices dealing in apparels, textiles and a variety of consumer items are involved in business activities.

SITE Manghopir looked a place of other world when Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah laid the foundation of the first factory, a woollen mill in 1948. Very few dared to put their money at stake and set up some manufacturing facility in SITE, Now there are more than 4,000 big and small factories and it boasts of being the biggest industrial enclave of the country. What was beyond the farthest corner of the city in 1948 is now in the heart of the city. The land cost has escalated to Rs60 million an acre.

In last six decades about a dozen designated and specified industrial zones have sprung up in and around Karachi and that too in all directions. There is Korangi, Landhi, Federal B Area, North Karachi, Dhabeji, Port Qasim. And now new industrial zones are being explored at Kaghar Phatak and in Scheme 33 near Super Highway.

Industrial zones are now being given a new shape. Now there are plans to develop commercial zones in and around each of the industrial zones. Banks, insurance companies, shipping, Central Board of Revenue are being asked to have their offices in the industrial zones. The idea is that industrialists get all services near their factories and instead of having a city office sit at the place where their core business is.

The UAE investors are said to be putting a lot of money in real estate business and hotel construction in various parts of the city. The sea front is getting a new shape. Officials and businessmen say that small islands close to Karachi have also attracted investors’ attention.

Being a part of Bombay Presidency till 1936, Karachi had special affinity with the Indian business and financial capital Mumbai. Following the construction of Suez Canal in Egypt, Karachi challenged Mumbai port dominance in this part of the world. After 1861 civil war in America, textile mills in Manchester, Birmingham and other parts starved of cotton. Karachi port became the main supplier as British lost no time in constructing a canal network in Punjab. Trade offices were set up on Mcleod Road and places near the port.

Relocation of business in Karachi can be compared with that of Mumbai. About two decades ago Mumbai’s central business district was Ballard Estate, Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade. No longer are these places the centre of business activities of the richest and most powerful people of India. Mumbai has its own limitations in growth and expansion. Mumbai does not have a large land mass, but Karachi has.

But in Mumbai the expansion and growth is planned keeping in view all factors -- the environment, the heritage and above all the people. In Karachi there was planning till 1950s. Since then planning is a luxury that neo rich constructor, developer can ill afford.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/12/ebr2.htm

I just passed the Kpt Underpass....Its raining cats and dogs in khi..and the Underpass had no problem with the water cloging or its drainage...but after passing the underpass, i started facing problems with water being cloged up everywhere, especially near 3 talwar.
I wonder how much truth there was in the claims that the Nazim made. He seems rather shady to me.

True. He always said that he'd prepared Karachi for the monsoons, but the same old problem prevailed throughout the city.

The worst thing is that the underpass caused so much discomfort to the Karachittes while being constructed and it was supposed to ease our lives, but it hasn't caused much improvement, especially during the monsoon season.

http://karachi.metblogs.com/images/2006/07/31072006048%5B1%5D.jpg

A joke:


It has been decided on saturday morning to build 4 mini DAMS in Karachi. The locations are, Aghas Dam at Schon circle clifton, Nazimabad Dam, Ghareebabad Dam and Sohrab Goth Dam. It will generate 420 mw additional electricity for further loadshedding in the city of lights.-:)

Karachi’s business map taking new shape


By Sabihuddin Ghausi

KARACHI, Aug 11: Slowly but steadily Karachi’s business geography is changing as new chains of warehouses and small commercial and industrial establishments are developing in the dense residential areas of the city and offices are moving out from what was the only one business district I.I. Chundrigar Road (old M’Cleod Road) to Clifton, Defence, Sharah-e-Faisal and almost all parts of the city.

Sharah-e-Faisal is fast becoming a new business centre with high-rise buildings, offices of the banks, IT and financial services locations. During day it takes more than an hour to drive from Jinnah Terminal to centre of the city because of traffic congestion. Only 15 years ago, the entire patch of Shahrah-e-Faisal was quite, desolate and almost haunted. More business offices are shifting to Shahrah-e-Faisal because of its nearness to airport. “It is easy to bring our foreign buyers to our office at Shaharah-e-Faisal than at Chundrigar Road,” a textile dealer said.

Clifton and Defence are other places where business offices are shifting. A business leader of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has counted 135 business addresses in Defence and about 225 in Clifton. “Chundrigar Road has become too congested and at times almost impossible to pass through,” a senior banker said.

Because of more than four per cent annual population growth mainly caused by unending influx of immigrants, unplanned and unabated expansion of the city in all directions, some 15 million people endure electricity breakdowns, water shortages, an unbearable public transport system and equally nerve-racking traffic congestion and frightening rise in street crimes, but they do business in almost all parts of the city.

They are in the business as entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, office workers, self-employed, artisans, labourers, masons, plumbers, technicians, electricians, cart pullers, shop keepers and what not in all parts of the city. The real Karachi is now no more confined to port vicinity, Chundrigar Road and Jodia Bazar. The business Karachi is now all over the city from Keamari to Landhi and to North Karachi right up to Surjani Town.

One can count more than a dozen textile mills constructed or are under construction and as many as other manufacturing factories as one drives on the National Highway to Steel Mills. Business expansion in this area is on fast rise and is now threatening the famous Chaukhandi graveyard a heritage of Sindh.

The two sides of the Superhighway are dotted with farm houses. Farm houses do roaring business as they provide a place to relax. These farm houses have been developed on one and two acres allotted to businessmen about 20 years ago to develop poultry farms or livestock farms. Instead many of these are now farm houses depending on the underground water and electricity of installed generators. These farm houses offer packages to the people for picnic. There are corporate packages too and small companies hold their meetings or entertain their clients.

Gadap was once proposed to be the capital of Pakistan. Back in 1950s Gadap was planned to be seat of power with a parliament, central secretariat, many government buildings and official residences. The Federal B Area and North Nazimabad were designated to be satellite towns of the capital while the main Karachi was to be Latin Quarters. Nothing of this sort happened as Ayub Khan moved capital to Potohar near his home in 1960. But people are gradually taking business to Gadap and Nazimabad. Offices dealing in apparels, textiles and a variety of consumer items are involved in business activities.

SITE Manghopir looked a place of other world when Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah laid the foundation of the first factory, a woollen mill in 1948. Very few dared to put their money at stake and set up some manufacturing facility in SITE, Now there are more than 4,000 big and small factories and it boasts of being the biggest industrial enclave of the country. What was beyond the farthest corner of the city in 1948 is now in the heart of the city. The land cost has escalated to Rs60 million an acre.

In last six decades about a dozen designated and specified industrial zones have sprung up in and around Karachi and that too in all directions. There is Korangi, Landhi, Federal B Area, North Karachi, Dhabeji, Port Qasim. And now new industrial zones are being explored at Kaghar Phatak and in Scheme 33 near Super Highway.

Industrial zones are now being given a new shape. Now there are plans to develop commercial zones in and around each of the industrial zones. Banks, insurance companies, shipping, Central Board of Revenue are being asked to have their offices in the industrial zones. The idea is that industrialists get all services near their factories and instead of having a city office sit at the place where their core business is.

The UAE investors are said to be putting a lot of money in real estate business and hotel construction in various parts of the city. The sea front is getting a new shape. Officials and businessmen say that small islands close to Karachi have also attracted investors’ attention.

Being a part of Bombay Presidency till 1936, Karachi had special affinity with the Indian business and financial capital Mumbai. Following the construction of Suez Canal in Egypt, Karachi challenged Mumbai port dominance in this part of the world. After 1861 civil war in America, textile mills in Manchester, Birmingham and other parts starved of cotton. Karachi port became the main supplier as British lost no time in constructing a canal network in Punjab. Trade offices were set up on Mcleod Road and places near the port.

Relocation of business in Karachi can be compared with that of Mumbai. About two decades ago Mumbai’s central business district was Ballard Estate, Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade. No longer are these places the centre of business activities of the richest and most powerful people of India. Mumbai has its own limitations in growth and expansion. Mumbai does not have a large land mass, but Karachi has.

But in Mumbai the expansion and growth is planned keeping in view all factors -- the environment, the heritage and above all the people. In Karachi there was planning till 1950s. Since then planning is a luxury that neo rich constructor, developer can ill afford.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/12/ebr2.htm

Very True.....And very informative indeed....Thats I think must be an award winning report. Well Done Mr. Reporter to Dawn!!!!

I've come to know a lot of things about Karachi from this report......!!!

I just came back again from that area...its around 7pm now....Not a drop of water in the under pass....so the underpass is fine. So i guess now we have a fair idea who was at fault last time when Kpt was saying one thing and the Nazim was saying something else.

The thing is, the drains of the underpass being made right now, isnt bad or clogged. But all the other places are never checked. So because of that teen talwar and bath island etc are flooded. If the Nazim accepted that he hadnt done anything and there was a problem. I dont think i would have a problem with it because khi for quite sumtime has had this problem. But saying that he has cleaned thr drains and the problem is still persisting, even after what happened a week ago.. Only one word comes to mind.....Shamefull!!

This Mustafa Kamal is beginning to seem like another 'Dr.' Aamir Liaqat. :lol:

What happen with the innagguration of the ground breaking ceremony of Elevated expressway... i thought it gonna be in first week of august

The Shara-e-Faisal Expressway???

another hyped about project that has failed to materialize till now...

Early completion of Lyari Expressway stressed
KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan has stressed the need for early completion of the Lyari Expressway in order to provide facilities to the people. Chairing a high level meeting at the Governor’s House on Tuesday, Ebad directed the concerned authorities that there should be no disruption in the provision of the right of way, availability of funds and resettlement of the affected shiftees.

The meeting was attended by Advisor Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Advisor Finance MA Jalil, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Principal Secretary Mohammed Saleem Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Development Ghulam Sarwar Khehro, ACS Local Government Mirza Karim Baig, MD LDA Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, Project Director LEW Barakzai and other officials.

The project director briefed the governor about the progress of work. He said that despite heavy rains, no problems occurred in Lyari River and as a result of this project, the city and people remained safe from flood dangers.

Dr Ebad issued directives to the city government for further speeding up the process in providing the right of way.

He directed that South Bound must be evacuated by September 15, for construction of the expressway.

Meanwhile, the Project Director Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project, Shafiqur Rehman Paracha informed the governor that 21,659 out of 24,800 families in the project have been shifted. The meeting was told that graves coming in the way of project are being shifted to the newly developed graveyard near Super Highway. It was stated that Lyari Expressway project will be completed at a cost of Rs7.84 billion within one year after complete right of way is made available. The two-way Lyari Expressway from Sohrab Goth to Mauripur Bridge is 16.5 Km long which will have 6 metre wide service road. The expressway will have inter-changes at four points and there will be Toll Plazas at four places, besides having 8+8 over-passes, three other bridges and 24 pedestrian underpasses.

The meeting was informed that 60 per cent progress on the project, which started on May 11, 2002, has been achieved.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=19977

Man! FOUR YEARS have passed already and its still going to take another year more!

Man! FOUR YEARS have passed already and its still going to take another year more!


i dont blame government on this .. becasue there are lot of hurdles in this project .. millions of ppls need to be evacuated from the bank of lyari river.. dealings with LAND mafia .... and ofcourse our corrupt system...

i dont blame government on this .. becasue there are lot of hurdles in this project .. millions of ppls need to be evacuated from the bank of lyari river.. dealings with LAND mafia .... and ofcourse our corrupt system...
If someone says that he will make a 100 storey building in 2 days, but actually makes it in 7 days, i will still praise that person.

The Foundations have all been completed for the Expressway, and at some points the flattening of ground for carpetening had begun as well.

How many lanes will it finally be?

Name of Saima project beside Millinium Mall

Does anyone remember the name of Saima's project launched last year beside the Millinium mall and opposite to Askari IV.

How many lanes will it finally be?

2 on each side, and I heard it will be on both sides of the Lyari River so the total would be 8 lanes, 4 lanes on one side of the river and 4 on the other.

any body have on going constrcution pictures of lyari expressway ... and sohrab goth aswell

2 on each side, and I heard it will be on both sides of the Lyari River so the total would be 8 lanes, 4 lanes on one side of the river and 4 on the other.

I think its two going one way on one side of the bank and two going the opposite direction on the other side of the bank. However, theres a plan for having service roads on the side so it might total four lanes for the expressway + 2 for the service roads = 6 lanes total.

Citizens to legally fight DHA plans to sell beach

Staff Report

KARACHI: Non-government organizations (NGOs), trade unions and political parties have joined hands to fight the privatization of Karachi’s beaches with a legal, signature and media campaign.

These groups met Wednesday for a discussion forum on ‘Clifton Beach and Sea View: Proposed plans and their impact’ at the Urban Resource Centre (URC) head office with senior urban planner and URC chairman Arif Hasan in chair. The main concern was the multi-billion dollar projects that will stretch over 14 kilometres of Clifton beach for commercial and residential construction that could effectively shut off these areas for the general public.

The URC, Aurat Foundation, Orangi Pilot Project, Church World Services, Edhi Welfare Foundation, Pakistan People Party, People Labour Bureau KESC were some of the organizations that have backed this cause in addition to lawyers, professors, doctors and students of Karachi and NED universities.

A 15-member action committee was formed to conduct the campaign and will meet next week to implement decisions made at the meeting.

Arif Hasan talked about the negative impact of the $1.5 billion Water Front Development Project, which was announced by the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). After it is ready, the public will not have access to the beaches of the city, he said. In the past, DHA developed the Sea View Housing Project, which has given rise to water pollution as untreated domestic waste is discharged into the sea, he added.

“It is an international law that any construction and development between roads and beaches is not allowed. The governments of India, Bangkok, Sri Lanka have banned any development and construction along beach sites. But in Pakistan these laws have been changed by the mafia,” said Hasan.

Participants were concerned over the allotment of the beach in the name of development and said that DHA had no right to take over recreational facilities.

“All recreational spots are being grabbed by the land mafia in connivance with the authorities,” said Tahira Hussain, a lawyer. “According to the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, beaches reserved for recreational proposes are not mean to be sold for housing schemes.”

She suggested that society and political organizations should study every aspect of the laws and fill a petition against the project. “We should use a legal war and approach the courts,” she urged.

Trade union activist Latif Mughal said that the present government did not have a clear policy for the general public. He proposed an awareness campaign to mobilize public opinion against the privatization of the beaches.

He said that the government authorities had their owns laws for the sale of public resources to private parties for commercial purposes. But the public should come forward to oppose this, he added.

The Pakistan Peoples Party declared its support for the campaign against DHA, which is selling beaches to the private parties. “The PPP will also approach other political parties to raise this issue,” said former senator Taj Haider of the PPP. “The DHA’s decision to turn this vital ecological and recreational asset into private property for nascent commercial exploitation needs to be carefully reviewed,” he added as the city already faces a shortage of recreational facilities. “Beaches cannot be allotted to private parties,” he added.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\08\17\story_17-8-2006_pg12_1

^^^ I think they are doing the right thing. Beaches should be for everyone to recreate.

^^^ I think they are doing the right thing. Beaches should be for everyone to recreate.


I second that.

They should break down that hideous wall that they've built at Sea View.

You cant see the sea when your driving there and you have to stop there, pay 10-15 Rs, park your car and then take a look at the sea.

Whoever initiated this plan should be ashamed of theirselves. I seriously feel sorry for how these people rob common citizens of their city's "Natural" benefits.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=20261

DHA says plans in public interest
By our correspondent

KARACHI: DHA is resolved to proceed ahead with the Water Front Development plan spread over the 14 kilometre Clifton beach to provide accessibility of maximum beachfront area to the general public in its improved and pristine form.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Administrator Defence Housing Authority Brig Maqsood Hussain said that the state-of-the-art facilities for public recreation and entertainment were integral to the prime beachfront project. He clarified that the requirements of recreation starved lower classes with a view to ‘franchise and not de-enfranchise’ them were integral to the plan.

The administrator said that the concerns motivated by empathy for recreation of the poor and antipathy for beach development voiced by a group of NGOs were “unrealistic” because they do not have proper knowledge of the master plan of the project.

He elaborated that the DHA master plan for beach development had been under various stages of processing for the past five years under an open transparent regime and that the integrated development plan for the 14 Km beach had been evolved after due technical diligence taking into account the inputs from prominent urban planners, architects and stakeholders.

The administrator said that the dilemma was that either to add value to the beach or to leave it as it exists. In case the beach potential was not utilized “it would become analogous to development of the Katchi Abadis,” he commented.

He emphasized that the project comprised of residential, commercial and recreation plans to maintain its economic viability and enhance the quality of the beach or else the area would either be encroached or degraded as an entity. He also said that the developments would not hinder public access to the sea in any way.

They'll probably keep an entrance fee if not a membership system. That is really unfair. Allah created the sea for everyone to enjoy, and not only for people who can afford it.

I agree to that, they have no right to ruin Karachi like that!

KARACHI: Work begins on sewerage project in Clifton


By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Aug 22: The KWSB with a view to improving drainage system of Clifton, Bath Island and Gulshan-i-Faisal on Tuesday began construction of a main conduit from Glass Tower to Schon Circle and laying four lines of 48-inch diameter from Schon Circle to Nehar-i-Khayam on war-footing basis.

Work on both the conduit and the four lines, being laid on the directives of Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and the city Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, is expected to be completed in a couple of days.

KWSB’s managing director Brig Iftikhar Haider has set up his camp office at Schon Circle to help solve the Clifton’s drainage problem expeditiously.

Reviewing the pace of work on the project, he said with the completion of the conduit and the pipelines’ work, the drainage issue of Clifton, Bath Island and Gulshan-i-Faisal will be resolved for the next 50 years.

He said task of undertaking the project work has been assigned to officials who have recently successfully accomplished the 100 mgd K-3 project and these officials including chief engineer Mashkoor-ul-Hasnain, project manager Misbahuddin Fareed and deputy project manage Ayub Shekh, are working day and night under his supervision.

Brig Haider exhorted the officials to discharge their duties efficiently and diligently so that the project is completed before its scheduled period.

Offering apologies on behalf of the KWSB to the residents of Clifton and the Board’s consumers who had to suffer in the wake of recent rains, he hoped that the residents of Clifton would cooperate with the officials working on the drainage project.

Later, he inspected repair work of a sunken 54-inch sewer main trunk, near chief minister’s house and directed the Zone-II chief engineer Najme Alam and superintending engineer Ghulam Qadir to get the work completed expeditiously.

Meanwhile, the city government has decided to search and revive the old drain constructed in Kharadar, Boulton Market and Old City area for draining out rain water, adds APP.

Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed that work on the revival of this drain, which was constructed in pre-Pakistan days and was the only source of drainage of water of entire old City, should be started forthwith.

On Sunday night, the city nazim inspected this drain for over one-and-a-half hours and saw those portions whereon constructions have been raised.

Mr Kamal observed that the drain is there for disposal of rain water from old City Area, but it has now come under constructions and finally closed down.

He said no one paid attention to this which caused great problems for residents of old Karachi, particularly Kharadar, Mithadar and Boulton Market.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/23/local6.htm

^^^^ Ha! This happens every year.

KARACHI, Aug 22: The KWSB with a view to improving drainage system of Clifton, Bath Island and Gulshan-i-Faisal on Tuesday began construction of a main conduit from Glass Tower to Schon Circle and laying four lines of 48-inch diameter from Schon Circle to Nehar-i-Khayam on war-footing basis.


but they are reclaming the land of nahar-e-khayam to make way for another DHA phase..i guess...
Nahar-e-Khiyam is a big dirty nallaa.... it polutes the sea, and it has no sewarage treatment plant...... because of it whole boatbasin area stinks......
The environment of karachi's future food street on nativejetti bridge will also be effected if no measure will be taken.
KWSB should find solution for this problem as well.....
Even Clifton beach has lost attraction because of these drains poluting the sea....
DHA should spend some money on treatment plants first before involving in other beach projects..... sea of swerage water ruins the environment and beautification projects like bagh-e-Qasim and beach park

Well for those of you who were wondering about the Lyari Expressway and its proposed lanes, I got this from the NHA (National Highway Authority) website;

Project Name LYARI EXPRESSWAY

Description The proposed project is a controlled accessed four (4) Lane Expressway along Lyari River through the city of Karachi. The Lyari Expressway Project (16.5 Km) has been found to be the most favourable solution, to urban transportation problems of the megapolis, Karachi, having the least negative impact on the community and providing the highest level of service.

Province Sindh
City Karachi
Starting Point North Lyari near Sohrab Goth Bridge
Ending Point South Lyari near Mauripur Road Bridge
Cost Rs. Rs. 5,081 Millions Million
Lane 4
Lane Width 7.3 m
Completion Period 30 months
Project Status Approved (On-going)
PC1 Prepared By Engineering Associates, Karachi, Pakistan

This is a huge project and I dont know if the 30 months mean the remaining time or the overall time? I passed by there today at one of the many intersections that it will pass above, all I can see is that the pillars have been completed and the river beds of the Lyari are being flattened to make way for carpeting.

But it has been like this for about 6 months now..

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/02/SlideShow/pic14.jpg

Business centre at Tower

KARACHI, Sept 5 (APP)- Plans are afoot for the construction of " Sir Syed Towers ", a 14-storied multi-purpose building project of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association.

The building is to be constructed on the Association's plot of 4200 sq yards at M.R. Kiyani Road, opposite Arts Council of Pakistan.

It may be recalled that this plot was acquired during the days of Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah to serve the interests of land mafia.

However, through the consistent efforts of present management of the Association, all impediments were removed and Governor of Sindh ordered for restoration of this precious plot.

Immediately after the plot was restored, the Association management prepared a plan engaging top architects for the construction of the 14-storied Tower, named after great educationist and reformer Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

According to the association sources, the model of the building has been prepared estimates for the multi-million project will be ready within two weeks.

The Association was also allotted a 9-acre plot in Gulshan-e- Iqbal and an additional land measuring 10 acres was procured for sports ground.

The establishment of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology is a major achievement of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association through the untiring efforts of its present team.

It came into being through an Ordinance promulgated by Sindh Governor on October 7, 1993 and the University started its first session on March 27, 1994. The Ordinance was passed into law by Sindh Assembly in 1995.

Accredited to Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Engineering Council, Sir Syed University has, since its inception, grown in size tremendously during the last 12 years.

The University is a member of International Universities Conference (UNESCO) and is a member of its Board of Governors besides a member of the Commonwealth Universities Association and has got collaboration with several universities in the world.

Through the efforts of present management of Aligarm Muslim University Old Boys Association, a 200 acres of land has been acquired in the Education City next to Aga Khan University to provide for permanent campus for SSUET and creation of an Information Technology park, yet another multi-billion rupees project of the Association.

The land was acquired at a cost of Rs 50 miillion while its officially notified price today is Rs 400 million. With 4500 students on the roll of SSUET and another 1300 students in the allied institution of Aligarh Institute of Technology and yet another 1200 students in Continuing Education Programme, 100 in Masters programme and four doing Ph.D, the University has held 9 Convocations so far. The first Convocation was held on March 27, 1998 which happened to be the Centenary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

app.com.pk

By Fasahat Mohiuddin

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said the City Master Plan 2020 will be presented in the city council for the first time for approval very soon.

In this plan, future residential needs have been inducted in the City Master Plan, Mustafa said.

He said after 20 years low income-housing schemes had been started by the government where people would be provided low cost houses which will be completed in the shortest period of time.

The residential plots in thousands have been marked in Taiser Town, he said, while talking to the Mortgage Housing Corporation of Canada.

The representatives of the Canadian firm said they were deeply interested in launching a housing scheme in Karachi and in this regard model houses would also be developed. They said if the people liked those model houses then they would be built for the citizens.

Meanwhile, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz are taking keen interest in completion of Master Plan 2020 for Karachi.

The city government sources told The News that day-to-day progress report was sent every fortnight to these two executives of the country and it is hoped that Master Plan will be made public hopefully by November this year.

Sources said very soon a full presentation would be given by the consultant technical committees to 12 technical committees of various agencies in the city.

This is being done with the objective that these stakeholders should go through this Master Plan and invite proposals and objections so that in future they could own this master plan.

Later, the sources said seminars will be held and media and public will be taken into confidence so that they also could own this document.

Replying to a question, source said that total cost of the project was worth Rs57 million and the city Nazim was very closely monitoring this project.

This Master Plan will give the directions for the implementation for any project as it is usual in Karachi plans are made but never materialised or get implemented.

Sources said so far the consultant consortium of three firms have been paid 7 to 8 per cent money.

The consortium included ECIL, PADCO and another is a chartered accountants’ firm.

The Master Plan is likely to be prepared by November this year for which various agencies, federal and provincial have provided maps.

About 30 per cent land use survey has been completed, based on a map prepared by the local consultant using Satellite imagery.

The Managing Director of the Sui Southern Gas company (SSGC) has been contacted for a digital map of his company.

The city Nazim said as they have the facility of digital and graphic maps and drawing, he has also agreed to help CDGK in this connection.

Kamal says that once the city government gets the maps underground than all these lines would be taken at one side of the road so that every day digging of roads could be stopped once for all.The relocation of utility lines is continuing in the city at various mega city projects.

The News carried out a brief survey to find out the history of Master Plan 2020, which was undertaken by the CDGK, as one of the components of Tameer-e-Karachi programme (TKP) package.

The CDGK had invited expression of interest (EOI) on November 11, 2003 and 12 firms consortium showed their interest, which were subsequently evaluated by an evaluation committee for pre-qualification.

According to official sources four firms/consortium pre-qualified and finally an agreement was signed on August 8 last year with the firm that had given the lowest bid.

The Socio-Economic Survey (SES) and land use survey (LUS) questionnaire were designed and finalised.

The SES for 178 Union councils (UCs) at Karachi level has so far been completed, analysed, tabulated, and reports on socio-economic condition of each UC completed and submitted by the consultant to MPGO on January 26.

KARACHI: The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has acquired over 12,500 acres of land on the National Highway to develop Defence-II housing scheme, besides indulging in value-addition activity of the existing Defence, DHA Administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain said.

In a recent interview about the development plans of the DHA, he said that the price of adjacent land to the proposed Defence-II have already surged by 10 times and would escalate further when the development activity would commence. He said a desalination and power generation plant would be installed at Port Qasim area to ensure water and power supply to Defence-II.

“We are trying to locate the land for the plant. It would generate 1,175 MW of electricity and 20 million gallons of water. The sweet ground water is also available there but he feared it would not be enough to meet the total demand, so the additional supply would be made through the Cogen power and desalination plant.

The services of world-class developers, having experience of developing such localities in other countries, would be hired for the Defence-II. It has to be attractive and safe place for the residents, besides being free of all those snags and shortcomings, which have been identified now in Model Plan of Defence.

Responding to a question on investment, he said it was safe in Defence for overseas Pakistanis as it is free from land grabbers. “You have to present yourself physically when making a decision about your land and no one can take a decision in your absence,” he said. He said the DHA would opt for land sharing formula with the developers for the new scheme. Special emphasis would be given to storm drains and effective sewerage system, besides drainage system for each road of the locality.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=23518

The Hasan Square Flyover

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http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00506.jpg

The Atrium Mall

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http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00517.jpg

Mall right next to the Awami Markaz

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00550.jpg

The Karsaaz Flyover

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http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00552.jpg

The Time Medico-National Stadium Flyover

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http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00560.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00561.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00562.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00563.jpg

Jumeirah Mall

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00573.jpg

City governoment invites tender for light rail mass transist system (KMT corridore 2)

http://www.karachicity.gov.pk/admin/tenderimages/11-08-2006.jpg

jumeriah mall looks tiny and is atrium mall going to ever complete, it looks the same as it did a year ago

Thank you for the updates and the pics Fahad.

Great updates FahadKhan! awesome work!

you can barely recognize the Time Medicos and Hassan Sq area with those flyover construction works going on. Hopefully they are all built to high quality standards.

KARACHI: City govt launches 3-month campaign: Greener Karachi

KARACHI, Sept 12: Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil has said that despite resource constraints and growing problems, the city government has made a commitment to make the city green and pleasant.

Speaking as chief guest at the launch of “Mission Greener Karachi” held at the lawns of City Naib Nazim Secretariat on Tuesday, she said that a resolution for protection of trees would be moved before the City Council.

On the occasion, trees were planted by US Consul-General Mary H. Witt, French Consul-General Pierre Seilan, British Deputy High Commissioner Hamish St Clair Daniel, Swiss Consul General Martin Blenz, Japanese Consul General Shoichi Nakano, State Bank Governor Shamshad Akhtar, Hamdard Foundation President Saadia Rashid and Karachi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Pirzada Qasim.

After the ceremony, Shamshad Akhtar congratulated Nasreen Jalil for launching the campaign with reference to “Mission Greener Karachi” and expressed hope that it would meet success. She assured all cooperation to the city government in this respect.

Nasreen Jalil said that plantation would be carried out to meet the target of one tree for one person and provide at least five square meter open space for each citizen to plant saplings. She said that plantation drive would continue till Dec 31.

She informed that a three-day training workshop would be organised from Sept 13-15 in various schools, union councils and towns, where experts of city government’s horticulture department would deliver lectures on gardening.She said that 0.5 million trees would be planted in the first phase by schools, private organisations and nazims of towns and union councils in their respective areas.

She said that in order to ensure effectiveness of the drive, the campaign would be computerised to watch how many plants were provided to whom and how many of them survived and nourished.

The naib nazim said the highest planter of trees with highest ratio of survival during the three-month campaign would be awarded commendation certificate.

She said that media could play an important role in creating awareness about tree plantation among citizens and they could be induced that each citizen may plant at least one tree and fulfil responsibility for its nourishment. She said that City Nazim Mustafa Kamal was not only working for improvement of the city’s infrastructure but he was also keen to see it green.

The ceremony was also attended by the Consul Generals of Germany, Afghanistan, Poland and other countries, diplomats of Bahraiin, Indonesia, Iran, Monaco, President SAARC Women Association Begum Bina Munir, Advisor Information Salahuddin Haider, representatives of KPT, Habib Bank and EDOs of various departments.They congratulated the naib nazim on the launch of Mission Greener Karachi.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/13/local15.htm

jumeriah mall looks tiny and is atrium mall going to ever complete, it looks the same as it did a year ago

Thank you for the updates and the pics Fahad.

Great updates FahadKhan! awesome work!

you can barely recognize the Time Medicos and Hassan Sq area with those flyover construction works going on. Hopefully they are all built to high quality standards.

Thanks guys, yes amazingly the Jumeirah Mall is quite tiny. If JM is infact going to be in that same tiny structure then I believe it would only be able to host 2-4 shops.

But there is an empty plot right behind JM so either they are building the mall there, or maybe the plot belongs to someone else.

Atrium Mall, yes again a slow project. The only difference I saw was the "Opening Soon" banner by Ideas (The green banner). But I still could not see their Underground Parking entrance/exit, and if that is the case then the area would be welcoming a massive traffic jam when it opens.

Amazingly the Hasan Square Flyover is I believe 60% complete with all the structure complete, only for a bit of the flyover which is passing right through a Mosque!, and I guess their not getting permission to destroy that mosque so right now when you pass through there you will see half of the flyover not connected to the other half!.

Great planning!!

KARACHI: Underpasses to be opened next week



By Our Staff Reporter


KARACHI, Sept 21: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday announced a number of measures to ensure unhindered flow of vehicular traffic during Ramazan, including opening of three under-construction underpasses for traffic, removal of encroachments on all major thoroughfares, repair of roads and roundabouts damaged during recent rains etc.

The underpasses, he said, would be opened for traffic by the third of Ramazan, while there would be a ban on parking around Civic Centre, and a huge parking lot would be set up at the LSR Hydrant premises.

Speaking at a news conference at the Nazim Secretariat, the Nazim said that with a view to discouraging unauthorized parking of buses and other vehicles on either side of roads and which create unnecessary obstacles in the flow of traffic will be impounded and released only after imposition of heavy fine on their owners.

The owners of all those buses who park their vehicles on Nishtar Road, at Golimar and Liaquatabad intersections have been served notices, and some of the illegally parked buses have been confiscated by the town administration concerned, he said.

Moreover, land has been acquired from the Export Promotion Burea for construction of a road to avoid traffic congestion near Hasan Square,

About repair of roads and roundabouts damaged during recent rains, he said that filling of potholes and trenches and carpeting of roads would be accomplished before Sept 23.

The traffic police, he said, have identified 11 roads where carpeting and patchwork is required for ensuring smooth flow of vehicular traffic during Ramazan.

The city government, with a view to provide relief to citizens undertook carpeting and patchwork on as many as 23 roads, where development works had been going on.

Work is expected to be completed by Sept 23 after which these roads would be handed to the traffic police, he said, adding all these measures would help end traffic congestion.

The nazim made a commitment that there would be no traffic jams in Ramazan owing to the city government’s on-going development projects.

The roads identified by the traffic police include M A Jinnah Road, I I Chundrigarh Road, Shaheen Complex traffic intersection, Dr Ziauddin Road up to Clifton, Sarwar Shaheed Road up to Lucky Star traffic intersection, Rashid Minhas Road (from Drive-in Cinema roundabout to Jauhar Morr), Sohrab Goth intersection, Shahrah-e-Pakistan (from Water pump to Aisha Manzil intersections), Jehangirabad Road (from Barra Board to Jehangirabad).

Moreover, repair work was initiated on Shahrah-i-Orangi, Manghopir Road, Pak Colony Road (from Bara Board to Love Lane bridge), from Banaras Chowk to Valika hospital road, Rashid Minhas Road, Shahrah-i-Pakistan, Sakhi Hassan traffic intersection to Surjani (5000 Road).

About the New M A Jinnah Road (from Jail traffic intersection to Quaid’s mausoleum), he said that traffic flow would be restored on both tracks by Sept 23 after completing sewerage line laying work while the showroom owners have temporarily been allowed to park their vehicles in Tanki ground.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/22/local2.htm

KARACHI: Future of KMTP hangs in balance

By Habib Khan Ghori

KARACHI, Sept 24: Work on the 17km long Sohrab Goth –Tower corridor-I of the Karachi Mass Transit Project (KMTP), which was due to commence in August, could not be materialized due to the federal government’s decision to revive the National Mass Transit Authority (NMTA).

The NMTA was set up by Benazir-led PPP government in 1994 but before initiating the project, it was rolled back along with the dismissal of the PPP government.

Following reports that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has decided to upgrade the KMTP by reviving NMTA to include Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Quetta, Hyderabad, Multan, and Faisalabad in the project, it is feared that the KMTP may also fall prey to bureaucratic wrangling.

These apprehensions were expressed by analysts, who had been keeping an eye on the project since 1952, when for the first time it was suggested in the first master plan of Karachi to devise a mass transport system on the lines of those found in other major cities of the world.

The central leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Prof N.D. Khan, who was made chief of the first NMTA, said that mass transit mode of transport was the only solution to the ever increasing traffic problem in the metropolis and if the city government could make it, it would prove to be a major relief to the citizens.

It may be recalled that the need for such a mass transit programme for the city was realised in 1986 following the death of a female student, Bushra Zaidi that had resulted in riots. But after normalization of the situation, the real issue was put to the back burner.

During the mayorship of Dr Farooq Sattar, work was initiated and PC-1 was prepared and bids were also invited for the implementation of the project but due to the wrangling over the authority’s structure, particularly its head, the project in question made no headway.

About 39 Asian cities have been operating the mass transit system successfully by adopting light rail, mono-rail or metro system but Karachi, where this idea was floated in 1952, is till without a modern transport system in spite of the fact that its population is now about to cross 14 million souls. Long and exhausting traffic jams on its road have ultimately become order of the day.

The number of public transport vehicles is quite insufficient when compared to the current population of the city, which is increasing at a rapid pace, thus forcing commuters to travel on the rooftops of buses or by clinging to the doors and on their footboards and resulting in deaths of the masses almost every day.

According to the analysts, since 1986 scores of Pakistani delegations have visited different countries to study their mass transit systems and held negotiations with various financial institutions for arranging investments for a system suitable for Karachi. However, no progress seems to have been made so far, although a substantial amount of money and energy has already been wasted in the whole exercise.

The incumbent city government, after taking over the charge, had decided to come up with a modern transport system for the city along with the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway. In this connection, different offers, including one from a Chinese concern of a light rail system to be built on credit finance basis, are under study. The other proposals are based on BOT (build, operate and transfer) made by the Matrons for a mono-rail system, and IDC for a light rail system.

The planning commission had approved Rs5 billion for public-private mass transit system for Karachi under the PSDP. But recently Sindh Transport Minister Adil Siddiqui had disclosed that Japan had also offered investments up to $800 million to improve the transport system in this metropolis. This offer includes revival of the KCR and a modern urban transport system with the induction of 8,000 new CNG buses being part of the system.

However, after presentations given to the prime minister on the KMTP, it is yet to be clarified whether the federal government has decided to give a green signal to the city government to implement the KMTP on a priority basis or the entire process of inviting bids would have to be repeated.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/25/local6.htm

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/27/SlideShow/pic13.jpg

KARACHI - September 26: The KPT head office building is being renovated after 50 years on Tuesday.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/27/SlideShow/pic14.jpg

KARACHI - September 26: Water is being sprayed on the newly carpeted stretch of Shahrah-i-Pakistan on Tuesday.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/27/SlideShow/pic15.jpg

KARACHI - September 26: A view of the Nazimabad Underpass as the city government is preparing to open one track of the underpass on Wednesday.

image source: DAWN epaper, Sept 28 2006

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9205/natstadflyoveruo4.jpg

I heard they've build big Speed Breakers at the start of the Underpasses to avoid the same situation that the KPT underpass had (Flooding), anyone else hear about this?

spead-breakers for flooding? :dunno:

why the hell cant they have a proper water draining system...atleast for the underpasses....instead of doing absurd things like building speed breakers...underpasses are for speeding up traffic....so wats the point to slow down the traffic now with bulding such things...how stupid

man thats the most stupid thing i have ever heard these guys should learn frm the ppl in lahore and rwp they instaled huge pumps and backup generators for flood waters and one more thing the rain fall is 100 times more here in islamabad and rawalpindi then karachi .

True, the main objective of an Underpass is in doubt if they are indeed building or have already built Speed Breakers to avoid flooding.

And it would be really embarrasing to see a huge Speed Breaker infront of an Underpass.

Instead of that they should build a proper drainage system at the area where they are building the 'breakers so that water gets drained out before it enters the underpass.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/02/SlideShow/pic07.jpg


KARACHI - October 1: Work on Shershah Flyover in full swing.—Online

yeah i agree. Building speed brakers before underpass is a total waste of its purpose. But that isnt the reason why there was a speed braker made initially. They made it because the surrounding area was flooded and the water was creeping inside. So if the surrounding area of the new underpasses are fine and there drainage works, they wont have to make it. Lets hope that the Karachi gov fixes the drainage everywhere, not only the underpasses because even if the underpasses drainage is working, the rest of the area will push its water into the underpasses.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/03/SlideShow/pic10.jpg

KARACHI - October 02: Carpeting of the second track of the 8,000 Road in the Korangi Industrial Area is in progress after the completion of its first track on Monday.—PPI

KARACHI: Speedy work on LEW project ordered

KARACHI, Oct 3: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has called for accelerating the shifting of affectees of Lyari Expressway and said that particularly the South-bound area should be vacated at the earliest to hand it over to the National Highway Authority.

He was chairing a meeting held on Tuesday to review the shifting of population from the Lyari river bank for the expressway construction on.

The meeting was attended by Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project Director Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, MDA DG Amirzada Kohati, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town Nazim Wasey Jalil, UC nazims, the officials of revenue department and others.

Addressing the meeting, the nazim described the expressway as the most important project of Karachi and said it must be completed on time to overcome the city’s growing traffic problems. He said that the shifting of affectees should be geared up, as no delay in the completion of project could be afforded.

He directed the revenue department that on receipt of documents of shiftees, they must get compensation cheques within two days and demolition of houses vacated by them should start immediately.

He asked the elected representatives, particularly the union council nazims, to maintain contact with people and solve the problems and impediments wherever these were experienced.

Mustafa Kamal took strict notice of public complaints that fake documents had been prepared in respect of Sector-52 of Hawkesbay Housing Scheme and land mafia was fleecing the people on the pretext of giving plots in this sector while no such sector existed at all. He directed that action be taken against land mafia.

The nazim called for strict watch on the government land in the area to check encroachment. He said the areas where people had been shifted, should be made model localities with provision of all facilities of water, sewerage, gas, electricity, roads and other basic amenities to residents.

He pointed out that the government was taking all steps to make the life of people comfortable. He said that people might face some problems but the development works were being carried out in their interest.

He said that another meeting would be held next week to review the pace of work and to see how far the directives issued had been implemented.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/04/local7.htm

KARACHI: Quaidabad flyover to be completed by June 2007

KARACHI, Oct 3: Pakistan Steel Mills Chairman Maj-Gen (Rtd) Mohammad Javed has said that the Quaidabad Flyover project, which was started in May 2005, would be completed by June 2007.

During his visit to the construction site on Tuesday, he said that the 753-metre-long and 9.6-metre-wide four-lane flyover would be completed at a cost of Rs220 million. He said that it was a gift to the citizens of Karachi from Pakistan Steel Mills under Tameer-i-Karachi Programme.

He said that the Steel Mills was extending financial support as well as technical supervision for the construction of this flyover.

Appreciating the efforts of engineers and staff in carrying out the carpeting of two-way diversion roads which considerably eased the traffic flow, he emphasized to further accelerate the pace of work and complete the project by the target date.

Representatives of M/s Railcop (Pakistan Railways), which has been assigned the project, were also present on the occasion.

NEW KARACHI: New Karachi Town has completed carpeting of Road-2100 from Siddiq-i-Akbar Masjid Nagan Chowrangi to Godhra Timber Market Road-7000.

This was stated by New Karachi Town Nazim Mohammed Hanif Surti during a visit to ongoing carpeting and patch work at Shahrah Khurshid Begum on Monday. He was accompanied by town officer infrastructure and other officials.

He said that carpeting of Road-4100, 2400, 4200 and 4400 was under way and it would be completed shortly.

Hanif Surti said that because of the strategy adopted by the town administration, for the first time in last some years, unhindered traffic movement was witnessed this Ramazan and fasting people were doing Iftar at their homes in time.

GULSHAN: Gulshan Town Nazim Wasey Jalil has said that volunteers will continue to assist the traffic police to ensure smooth flow of traffic during Ramazan.

He stated this during a visit to Buhadarabad and adjoining areas to monitor the traffic situation.

He also visited UC 3, 7, 9 and 11 and issued directive to concerned officials for improved sanitary conditions and lighting arrangements in important shopping centres and markets. He said that sanitary staff should be deployed at all markets of Buhadarabad, Samama Shopping Centre, PIB and KDA market and special monitoring on unscrupulous elements be carried out.

He said that a group of sanitary workers be immediately set up along with provision of garbage trolleys for sanitation at important roundabouts, shopping centres, markets and other public places.

The town nazim directed that backyards of markets should be allocated for parking.

Meanwhile, the first filter water plant installed in Block 13-D of Gulshan-i-Iqbal has been closed for the last one month following a fault in its purification system.

The residents of apartments, where this plant was installed, said on Tuesday that the plant had worked only for one and half month after its installation. They said that the maintenance person, who had been visiting the plant every day, was giving lame excuses for the closure.

It may be noted that the Swiss-made filter plant has been donated by the Canadian NGO “Friends of Success” through the Pakistan Canadian Business Council. The builder of the apartment has provided the site for the installation of filter plant.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had inaugurated the plant on July 20. The plant worked only for one and half month. After its closure, the residents said that water being supplied was not safe for drinking.

They urged the authorities to look into the matter and ask the officials concerned to ensure its maintenance and restart the plant.—APP



http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/04/local16.htm

City’s uplift and principles of urban planning METRO VOICE

Arif Hasan

KARACHI: To overcome problems created by massive rural-urban migration, industrialisation, increased trade, a phenomenal rise in the number of vehicles, and their related environmental and socio-economic repercussions, Third World cities and governments have invested huge amounts in planning and in development projects. Some cities have done well while others have become increasingly degraded and difficult to live in. An analysis of the successes and failures of these cities in dealing with growth, points to four planning principles which if followed can help make cities less conflict prone, economically sustainable and liveable for the vast majority of their population. These four planning principles are discussed below.

One: planning has to respect the ecology of the region in which the city is located. Not doing so results in vulnerability to cope with natural disasters, depletion of subsoil aquifers, desertification of natural green areas, flooding, pollution of water bodies, the death of fauna, flora and areas of recreation, and an increase in environmental related diseases and stress.

Two: land use has to be determined on the basis of social and environmental con- siderations and not on land value alone. Not doing this is one of the major reasons for social conflict and fragmentation and it results in traffic congestion (which the best traffic engineering projects have failed to overcome); pushing the poorer sections of the population out of the city and thus creating disparity, economic loss and social conflict; an increase in com- muting time and hence in transport costs and mental stress; the death of multi-class recreational and entertainment space; and a loss of self-respect among the more marginalized population.

Three: development must cater to the needs of the majority. This “vast” majority consists of lower income and lower-middle income groups. They are people who live in informal settlements, far away from their places of work; they are pedestrians, commuters, hawkers and run small informal businesses. In many cities development has catered to transport and traffic problems but has failed to cater to the economic and social well-being of this majority. Such cities may have beautiful planned elite areas but they also have high crime rates and social conflict due to which the rich ghettoise themselves thus increasing disparity and exclusion. Such cities include Sau Paulo, Rio, Mexico City, and Johannesburg. Karachi is well on its way to becoming like them.

And four, the tangible and intangible cultural assets and heritage of the city have to be protected. Doing this establishes social and political continuity and gives the people of the city an identity and a pride in its history. It also helps in bridging ethnic and class differences which is a priority since most Third World cities are now multi-cultural.

In the planning of Karachi and in the formulation of its development projects, none of the above principles have ever been considered and as a result environmental, social and economic conditions have deteriorated and continue to do so. It must be mentioned, however, that Karachi’s master plans and the Karachi Development Plan 2000 did take some of these principles into consideration but then these plans were never implemented and nor did their provisions become law.

We have ignored the ecology of the region in which Karachi is located. Due to this the regions subsoil aquifers have been depleted because of excessive use. Recharging them is difficult, if not impossible, since we have lifted sand and gravel for construction purposes from the riverbeds and streams due to which storm-water run-off cannot be controlled. This has resulted in the desertification of the Karachi region and the natural green areas that were a part of the metropolitan area of the city. We have also reclaimed mangroves and drainage channels for building elite townships due to which Karachi floods with the minimum of rains and due to which our natural flora and fauna have all but disappeared. Sewage is discharged into the natural water bodies destroying and/or polluting marine life and promoting environmental diseases.

Land use in Karachi is entirely determined by land value. As a result, wholesale markets, cargo terminals, storage and warehousing are in locations that add to traffic congestion and pollution. Space required for these facilities is now available only in katchi abadis which further adds to congestion, pollution and environmental degradation of already degraded settlements. In KDA Scheme-33 alone, over 800 acres of amenities have been commercialised. In addition, about 30,000 houses in katchi abadis have been bulldozed since 2000 to make way for commercial development. Due to this a population of 270,000 has been rendered homeless or has shifted to areas outside the city. This relocation has caused a major deterioration in their socio-economic conditions, which is the last thing a government wishing to promote equity could wish for.

Previous and recent development projects in no way cater to the needs of the majority. There is no social housing programme for the city due to which katchi abadis are the only housing option available to the lower and lower middle income groups. Karachi’s Mass Transit Programme has been in a limbo since 1977 and the most recent proposals for it are questionable in economic and also in environmental terms. Hawkers are evicted from their locations rather than being rehabilitated in an organised manner. They are removed from parks and recreation areas due to which the poorer sections of the population (to whom they cater) no longer visit these areas. The needs of pedestrians and commuters have never been and are still not a priority. Unemployment is one of the major issues for the majority of younger Karachiites. They do not possess the skills for the jobs that the market economy and globalisation is creating. The institutions to provide these skills do not exist or are in a terrible state. There are no plans to upgrade them or establish new institutions.

The cultural heritage of the city is being systematically destroyed and can only be salvaged if its preservation is linked to a larger city development plan which takes into consideration the three planning principles mentioned above and removes lacunas in the present laws and regulations. These lacunas are well known to the authorities yet no action is taken to address them. Some of the mass transit solutions which are being pro posed consist of building elevated transitways through the heritage zones which will destroy the little heritage that is left of Karachi’s unique colonial architecture. That such transitways will be a disaster for Karachi’s built-heritage has been well established, yet the proposals persist.

The new projects being developed along Clifton Beach, the non-transparent sale of Bandal and Buddo islands for development purposes to a private company, the continued encroachment on the mangroves and the proposed expressway from Jinnah Bridge to Quaidabad are all in violation of all the four principles discussed above. However, the donkey-cart race patronised by the Sindh governor recently was a step in the right direction. One hopes that it was not a one-off affair and will be institutionalised. Similarly, the protection of the part of Clifton Beach in the city government possession from commercial construction is a welcome step. One hopes that more such steps will be taken to protect Karachi’s natural environment and promote a more citizen friendly physical environment.

A new Karachi master plan is under preparation. It is recommended that the four principles mentioned in this piece should be enshrined in the plan and the rules, regulations, procedures and institutions required to implement them should be developed. A city is much more than an “engine of growth” and making it “investment friendly” cannot be achieved simply by “improved investment-related-infrastructure” and security systems but by seeking to remove the causes of poverty, exclusion and social conflict. Sensitive physical planning can help in achieving this objective.


Source: epaper DAWN Oct 4, 2006

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8683/baghibnqasimkhixc9.jpg

source: DAWN epaper Oct 10, 2006

KARACHI: Rs50bn for city uplift projects

KARACHI, Oct 9: The volume of Taameer-i-Karachi programme has been raised from the existing Rs29 billion to Rs50 billion, and for the first time in national history the federal government organizations are contributing towards city’s development.

The progress in respect of various projects under Taameer-i-Karachi was reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Governor Dr Ishratul Iad Khan at Governor’s House here on Monday.

Taking notice of slow pace on the part of some of the organizations, the governor pointed out that all these projects are of great significance and of immediate importance for the development of the city to equip it with modern facilities.

He made it clear that these projects are to be completed as per specified time schedule and cannot be cut down.

He said in view of the importance of the programme and practical interest taken by the City Nazim, the volume of programme has gone up to Rs 50 billion.

The governor told the meeting that he had made a special request to President Pervez Musharraf for inclusion of various federal government organizations into the programme and got a number of projects sponsored from them.

He showed the resolve that this programme would be led to completion at all costs with the cooperation of relevant organizations.

Dr Ibad said with the completion of various mega projects under the programme, utility services in the adjoining areas are also being strengthened in a better way, which hitherto had been suffering from various interruptions.

The meeting was attended, among others, by local government minister Mohammed Hussain, state minister Tariq Ikram, advisor on finance M A Jalil, chief secretary Fazlur Rehman, principal secretary Saleem Khan, special secretary Javed Hanif and senior officials of federal government organizations.

In the Taameer-i-Karachi Programme, the federal government is contributing Rs5 billion, provincial government Rs6 billion and stakeholders Rs12 billion while the city government is spending Rs13 billion on strengthening of utility services so as to make the construction of mega projects meaningful.

Dr Ibad stressed on accelerating the pace of work on Hino Chowk, Road-8000 (Shahrah-i-Darul Uloom), Quaidabad Flyover, Shahrah-i-Meharn, bridge on adjoining railway crossing etc.

Apart from Taameer-i-Karachi, other projects were also reviewed and a strategy was formulated for completing all the projects in a better manner.

The governor called for monitoring at various levels for implementation of these projects and for cooperation between various organizations.—APP


http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/10/local1.htm

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8683/baghibnqasimkhixc9.jpg

source: DAWN epaper Oct 10, 2006

nice. always good to see a new city park. they feel much better than just some more concrete structures

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/601/lexpwy1zg4.jpg

Source: DAWN epaper Oct 9, 2006

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8135/sgflyovermc1.jpg

source: DAWN epaper Oct 11, 2006

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9270/korbridgerg5.jpg

Initial construction work for the pillars has been completed for the bridge connecting Shah Faisal Colony with Landhi and Korangi areas.

source: Jang epaper, Oct 11, 2006

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7384/nazimfloverlz9.jpg

Carpeting work is underway on the newly constructed Nazimabad underpass

source: Jang epaper, Oct 11, 2006

gr8 work swerveut.. :cheer:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4318/parknewha5.jpghttp://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9032/parknew2vn7.jpg


Source: DAWN epaper, JANG epaper, Oct 14, 2006

karachi surley getting lots of thing

not lots, just things that should have been there and done long ago. Thankfully, Mustafa Kamal is a very good and pretty dutiful Nazim.

i dont know as iam living in lahore..may be you people will not agree with me.. i think Naimatullah was much better Nazim than the current one... in his tenure he has done things which was never done before and most of the projects which are inaugrated by Kamal was either started by Naimatullah or was visioned in his master plan for karachi... so i think Naimatullah is the one who must be praised than Kamal....

its my thought you peole misght second it

I would agree with that, for example the Sharea Quaideen Flyover was started by Naimatullah Khan, while the present leadership took credit for it (They've put up a plaque near the flyover)

And the flyover was merely inaugrated by the current leadership while the work was done during Naimatullah's.

And whatever Naimatullah did he did in a civilized manner, the projects always had a big board which showed when the project started and when it will be completed, along with who the project is given to and how many people are working on it.

And not to mention the alternate routes, which the current mayor has totally ignored.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8425/hsqflyoverpe0.jpg

Source: DAWN epaper Oct 18, 2006

Anyone has any info on these new "Walls" that their putting in these new Flyovers.

They look like Jigsaw puzzles from the side, any specific reason why their using them?

probably cause they are prefabricated.

By the way, can anybody tell me what provision these flyovers are going to have for traffic flow in cross directions? Do they have on ramps and off ramps etc? hopefully none of the flyovers have traffic signals on top of them like the stupid Korangi flyover at Shahrah-e-Faisal

I would agree with that, for example the Sharea Quaideen Flyover was started by Naimatullah Khan, while the present leadership took credit for it (They've put up a plaque near the flyover)

And the flyover was merely inaugrated by the current leadership while the work was done during Naimatullah's.

And whatever Naimatullah did he did in a civilized manner, the projects always had a big board which showed when the project started and when it will be completed, along with who the project is given to and how many people are working on it.

And not to mention the alternate routes, which the current mayor has totally ignored.


You are quite right! i have an experience of that alternate route from Allah Wali Chourangi to Shahrah-e-Faisal during the construction of that only flyover for more than 2 years. thanks for that Naimataullah

FahadKhan: The reason why they have these walls is because they don't have to build those "pillars" (the exact jargon escapes my mind). It's much cheaper and easier to just erect walls and fill them. It seems a first in Karachi, but they are much common abroad (relatively). They are helpful when you know the land below the flyover would be wasted anyway.

Swerveut: Yeah, that flyover is a major bitch. Somehow the idea of interchanges hasn't really caught on in Pakistan, has it? At one point there were talks of a three-level interchange at Hasan Square. I don't know what happened then. Right now we have 3 interchanges in the whole of Pakistan! The one in Islamabad (Faizabad, I think), Native Jetty (poor man's interchange) and Hino (u/c). We definitely need several more just in Karachi. I can't say for other cities, but I am sure Lahore could do with a few of those.

Edit: Ok, there's one at Sohrab Goth (u/c), also.

Swerveut: Yeah, that flyover is a major bitch. Somehow the idea of interchanges hasn't really caught on in Pakistan, has it? At one point there were talks of a three-level interchange at Hasan Square. I don't know what happened then. Right now we have 3 interchanges in the whole of Pakistan! The one in Islamabad (Faizabad, I think), Native Jetty (poor man's interchange) and Hino (u/c). We definitely need several more just in Karachi. I can't say for other cities, but I am sure Lahore could do with a few of those.

Edit: Ok, there's one at Sohrab Goth (u/c), also.

Yaar there are a lot of interchanges on the motorway + the Lyari expressway will also get lot of interchanges for facilitating getting on/off of it.

Anyways here is a picture of the u/c flyover at Time Medicos. Should be completed before IDEAS 2006 in November.
http://www.jang.net/jm/10-19-2006/images/02_10.gif

Traffic as bad as ever in Karachi I see... Are any of the other flyover in Karachi actually reducing these traffic jams?

its good to errect walls... mosly people ecroch land under the flyover which gives very ugly look. Secondly its FASTER to errect walls and fill them...
there are currently four flyovers undercontruction in karachi with walls.
Karsasz flyover shahra-e-faisal, time medico flyover, hussan square flyover and sohrab goth flyover.

any body knows how many flyovers are under construction in karachi....
i guess 26-28 including liyari express way flyovers.
i have heard there are 16 flyovers at liyari express way.

To be really honest they should have constructed a miniature Cloverleaf interchange at Hasan Square instead of just one flyover.

Traffic there is pathetic, and not just from one direction, its the same case on every side.

Regarding the Shaheed-i-Millat Flyover, I really have to agree that is byfar the most stupidest flyover I have seen in my entire life. The weird part is that when you get on the flyover from Sharea Faisal, you CANNOT see the traffic coming from the right hand side (From the flyover) and you really have to slow down, look on your right carefully and then proceed.

Such interchanges require lots of space. Hasan Square doesnt give such an enourmous space for that.
the following link will take you to the image of an interchange near Hyderabad taken from Google Earth. have a look at the space consumed by this interchange.
http://beta.pixsense.com/publicGridView.ps?myId=8576&type=true

Yeah, there are interchanges on the Motorway, true. I was actually trying to refer to the ones that are within the city and on normal roads which are already congested. But yeah, you are right.

And I don't think a cloverleaf would have fit in there. Even the one which has oval petals instead of round ones. They had a much better solution in the shape of a three-level interchange. Don't know why the hell the dropped that idea. It also had a dedicated ramp that would have landed in Expo Center. Having said that, I don't know for sure if they have plans to add to this flyover. Like I heard that there's a provision for an underpass right under the Time Medico Flyover.

A cloverleaf isnt the only arrangement that can be used for an interchange. There are lots of other arrangements possible. You can see some schematics for different types of interchanges at the following links:

http://www.cbrd.co.uk/reference/interchanges/

http://www.kurumi.com/roads/interchanges/index.html

Also, it is not necessary that a clover leaf should be of a huge size like was pointed out in the picture by mehdi_cs. That is a highway interchange built for high speeds and therefore the its branches follow gentler curves. This results in the clover-leaf being spread out and becoming large in size.

For city roads however, a smaller sized clover-leaf arrangement can easily be devised since speed limits in the city are lower and cars can therefore safely follow sharper curves.

^ Well said, and a Cloverleaf does not take that much space as you can easily accomodate the North-South flyover and the West-East one, the only thing that will take space is the round/oval intersections, which as Swervuet pointed out can be constructed easily for low speed vehicles.

Umais: Where would that Underpass lead to?

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8425/hsqflyoverpe0.jpg

Source: DAWN epaper Oct 18, 2006

i think its wastage of land by filling all this area with sand, probably thy should have make it parking area because they have expo centre civic centre and stadium nearby and whenver there is any event in expo centre or in stadium there is always a hassle of parking around the area, all the flyovers should have parking place like they have under shahrah-e-faisal one, plus after completing this bridge they should make underpass under this flyover on university road to cut down any possible traffic jamm in the area like we usually see at nipa flyover area.

:nono: any comments? surely u guys have!!!

http://www.jang.net/jm/10-19-2006/images/02_10.gif

another wastage of land by not making parking area under this flyover too!!! and absolutely insane engineering..i mean just look at the area on left hand side of the bridge all covered with walls and surely filled with sand? why didn't they make underpass here? can anyone make me the arial view of this bridge on google earth image? i just can't get the idea of where this bridge going to?>(

Yeah me niether? Is it going towards Bahria College or Karsaz?

hey ,
i saw 2 unnder construction towers on sherea faisal,one was just as u eneted sharea faisal from korangi road(tall building with a crane) and the other one was on main sharea failsal (digging work was being done and pillars were being put)

hey ,
i saw 2 unnder construction towers on sherea faisal,one was just as u eneted sharea faisal from korangi road(tall building with a crane) and the other one was on main sharea failsal (digging work was being done and pillars were being put)

can anyone (including me) find out the name of this first underconstruction tower? i saw, it has reached to 13 storey..still rising. i first took its shot when it was just 6.
have a look at my collections at
http://beta.pixsense.com/Hussain/
alirox, can you please mention the exact place of the second underconstruction building, there are a lots of underconstruction buildings on Shahra-e-Faisal.

another wastage of land by not making parking area under this flyover too!!! and absolutely insane engineering..i mean just look at the area on left hand side of the bridge all covered with walls and surely filled with sand? why didn't they make underpass here? can anyone make me the arial view of this bridge on google earth image? i just can't get the idea of where this bridge going to?>(

this flyover leads to the Karsaz Road from the point of photography.
there are advantages and disadvantages of such type of flyovers.
if you apply Eintein's theory of relativity, and change the observer, you will find out this flyover exactly same as an underpass. that was just a fun. its efficiency equals an underpass. so if you either make this type of flyover with walls and filled with sand or make an underpass is the same. if you compare it with Shaheed-e-Millat Flyover, you will find that the land underneath is totally wasted.
the previous experiences of making underpasses has resulted in very interesting drawbacks like (un documented water + telephone lines going across the way etc)
these sort of flyovers are actually cheaper to build and are more reliable in context of strength.
these flyovers have faster development rate and can be made in 3-4 months time.
drawbacks are, the space under the walls is wasted whereas we can utilize them for good in the pillar-ed version of flyovers.
Karachi needs a lot more flyovers at various places that need to be built urgently. for example, near Millenium Mall, Johar Chowrangi, Jail Chowrangi etc.

Does anyone know if these fly overs are actually improving the traffic situation or is it all just a waste of money?

i personally feel that the flow is only hampered when new construction is taking place. Otherwise, the fly over has been successfull. The only problem i have with a fly over is when they put 'Traffic lights' on it. Now that defeats the purpose of a fly over.but i think the newer made fly overs dont have anytrafic lights. If i am coming from avari and going to karsaz. On sundays, when there is light trafic, it takes me not more then 13-15 mins to reach karsaz.With less trafic lights, the cars can zip through and not have to stop every 1 minute.

I passed through the Hasan Square flyover yesterday and today, while going for an Iftar Dinner.

They were putting one side (For right hand side traffic) of the pre-fabricated flyover via a huge crane, while today they were putting the other side (Left hand side).

Looks like the construction is complete, only thing left is the carpeting and other necessary work.

Btw on a funny note, the board for the Hasan Square Flyover did not have the completion date :lol:.

All it said was Start date: 10-06-06, Completion date: - - 06

:lol:

i think its wastage of land by filling all this area with sand, probably thy should have make it parking area because they have expo centre civic centre and stadium nearby and whenver there is any event in expo centre or in stadium there is always a hassle of parking around the area, all the flyovers should have parking place like they have under shahrah-e-faisal one, plus after completing this bridge they should make underpass under this flyover on university road to cut down any possible traffic jamm in the area like we usually see at nipa flyover area.

:nono: any comments? surely u guys have!!!

I am pretty sure that making parking spaces in the middle of a busy road will just result in more disruption of traffic. Cars would be turning in wrong directions to find parking spaces, and people would be crossing through the middle of the busy road to get to and from their cars, endangering their lives and slowing down the traffic. Otherwise, if also the space was left open, it would end up becoming a den for drug addicts and a dumping ground for ugly useless junk. I am glad they filled up the spaces and walled them up.



Does anyone know if these fly overs are actually improving the traffic situation or is it all just a waste of money?

Unless they improve the cross-flow of traffic between directions at these intersections, I doubt they would do any good. More than half the cars at the time medicos intersection turn towards Aga Khan while coming from Hassan Square, whereas, a lot of the cars coming from the Stadium side turn towards Nipa on the Hassan Square intersection.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3741/sohrabgothflyoverlj9.jpg

Another good thing about these ramps which are walled and filled with sand is that they are resistant (almost impervious) to earthquakes. Won't be toppling over if a big one hits. But then again the main section might be doing that anyways...sooo.....i'll just keep quiet from now on. :P

^ We would appreciate that Red_aRRow :)

:lol:

But I must say these "Walls" do make the entire Flyover look good, those who disagree should visit the bottom part of the Shahed-i-Millat Flyover. That thing is like a maze of pillars!

Yes, I am glad they fill the bottom now!

Indeed, and great Tea I might add.

Btw, any info on the proposed Underpass on Sharea Faisal? It was supposed to be infront of the FTC building, and they even switched their entrance to the BACK of the building for that purpose ..

Planning Commission maps out CDGK’s work for mass transit system

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: A steering committee headed by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Akram Sheikh has mapped out a course of action for the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) for the Karachi Light Rail Mass Transit System so that it is completed as soon as possible, a senior government official informed Daily Times on Saturday.

The committee, formed by the prime minister on the request of the CDGK, met recently to start working on monitoring the arrangements and implementation of the project.

The CDGK will set up a power generation unit to operate the mass transit system. This unit will be dual-fired (it will work on oil and gas) for which the ministry of petroleum would provide 30 mmcfd of gas, a government official told Daily Times. The committee has decided that the CDGK will approach the Ministry of Petroleum and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited for the allocation of gas and oil.

The mass transit system will need land for depots, workshops, administrative facilities, operations control center, parking, marshalling and stabling areas. As this land is mainly controlled by the ministry of railways and ministry of ports and shipping (KPT), the CDGK will approach them. An official from the Ministry of Railways informed Daily Times that surplus land is very expensive and is being disposed off to generate funds for asset replacement.

The CDGK has sought the PM’s guidance on the selection of bidders for the project. The committee decided that the project will be on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

The CDGK has requested the center to provide a sovereign guarantee of US$121 million to move the project forward and the committee directed the CDGK to immediately take up the issue with the Ministry of Finance.

During the meeting, the CDGK presented a proposal for the system to be undertaken by M/S Infrastructure Development Co. Pvt Ltd along with other allied companies on a BOT basis.

The committee directed the Sindh government to approach all federal ministries and agencies concerned for the concessions amenities required to help the CDGK move forward on this project.

The CDGK has requested the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to exempt it from taxes and duties on imports for the project. The project will need imported vehicles, rail cars, an automatic train control system, a signaling system, an automatic fare collection system and rail track. In return, the CBR has asked the CDGK to provide a detailed report of these requirements so that the exemptions could be ensured according to the formula of IPPs. The project had been in cold storage for 20 years due to a scarcity of funds.

Daily Times - All Rights Reserved

Has anyone seen the Brazilian version to mass transit? They have busses that are as long as trains, which run in lane dedicated solely to these busses/trains. The bus stand are like tubes covered by glass which the person has to pay to enter.. The system is running on a trial basis in Los Angeles aswell, where it been a big success.. The system is alot cheaper then a train or subway system aswell... Maybe a good solution for Karachi.

I've seen those on Discovery Channel a couple of months back.

Their sorta weird and impressive

Those buses are called "Articulated Buses". They have that same system in Beijing also and it is quite successful there too. However, dedicating a lane to those type of buses in Karachi would be tough.

Mass Transit System. Ha! I am NOT falling for it AGAIN. It's not gonna happen. Move along, nothing to see here.

As for those articulated buses. I don't know if any of you guys remember or not. Around 15-18 years back, there were these bus-trains. Remember? Remember? I don't recall which city they were in. I think they tried to introduce them in Karachi, also. I have a very hazy memory of it. I clearly remember all the ads on the television, but have forgotten all the other details.

Does anyone know if Sohrab Goth will be trafficlights-free after they finish this interchange?

I am pretty sure that making parking spaces in the middle of a busy road will just result in more disruption of traffic....


why there is no traffic disruption and ugly dump under nipa and shahrah faisal flyover?

this is just your negative thinking :|

there are advantages and disadvantages of such type of flyovers.
if you apply Eintein's theory of relativity, and change the observer, you will find out this flyover exactly same as an underpass. that was just a fun. its efficiency equals an underpass.

i see how you guys waste your and others time by writing useless text, anyways i've got the answer of my question.

fancy to read?

go to http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/11/local7.htm :|

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3741/sohrabgothflyoverlj9.jpg


i heared sometime back that they r no longer making underpass there. is it true? when is this project supposed to be completed? can anyone share more pics of this project?

Those buses are called "Articulated Buses". They have that same system in Beijing also and it is quite successful there too. However, dedicating a lane to those type of buses in Karachi would be tough.

Well, its seems far more easier then building brand new rail infrastructure...
They would simply have to dedicate a lane and divide it by fencing.. If they dont have space, then they can build an elevates road instead. I have to admit im not familiar with the road layout in Karachi but seems wide enough to support such a system.

‘Underpasses being built in record time’
KARACHI: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that the development projects under way at the corridor from SITE to Sharea Faisal will be completed during the current year and that new projects will be undertaken thereafter.

He was talking to newsmen after opening for traffic one track of Nazimabad, Liaquatabad and Gharibabad underpasses starting from SITE and leading to Hasan Square late on Saturday night.

“The underpasses being completed at Ibn-e-Sina Road in a record period of time are bigger than the ones built earlier in the country,” the Nazim pointed out. DCO Karachi, Fazl-ur-Rehman, Nazim Liaquatabad Town, Usama Qadri, Officers of City Government, media representatives besides general public were present on the occasion.

“The journey of development which we have embarked upon will never come to a halt and after completion of the ongoing and the future projects, Karachi will enter the list of developed cities of the world,” Mustafa Kamal expressed his confidence.

The Nazimabad underpass, 768 metres long, is estimated to cost Rs360 million, Liaquatabad underpass measuring 667 metres has an estimated cost Rs350 million while the one at Gharibabad is being completed at a cost of Rs220 million.

The three underpasses consist of three lanes each. Work on Liaquatabad and Nazimabad underpasses started on March 9 and March 11, 2006, respectively. Speaking on the occasion the City Nazim said: “Today I would like to congratulate the people of Karachi who endured hardships and inconvenience during the completion process of these projects,” and added “but now the time has come to derive maximum benefits from these projects”.

He said after opening of one of the tracks of these underpasses, distance from SITE to Hasan Square could be covered in a few minutes. Kamal said that work on these projects never stopped even for a single minute while people showed immense patience and he thanked the citizens for the same.

“These projects would have been completed long before but as we dug the ground and found that only 25 per cent utility services were existent, the missing services had to be provided which caused the delays,” he noted.

He said the replacement of utility lines including water, sewerage, electricity and telephone which were very old would have taken at least two years if the work was carried out in a conventional way. The work was carried out 24 hours a day as is done in the developed countries which accelerated the completion of these underpasses, he added.



http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=29294

Record time my ass!

I seriously dont know why people are crying all the time in karachi about the construction of underpasses taking so long. Any where in the world, underpasses take a time period of more than a year at least. And these underpasses have been under construction for less than a year. infact, mustafa kamal has been in office for exactly a year now.
So i ask people to be patient. there are always delays in big projects...saying this because of personal experiences due to being a contractor myself. You really can't help if it rains, or if major lines have to be switched. And in pakistan's case...Beaurucratic hurdles. So i ask all here to be patient. i think they are doing a good job. instead of criticising them all the time, we should think positive.

I seriously dont know why people are crying all the time in karachi about the construction of underpasses taking so long. Any where in the world, underpasses take a time period of more than a year at least. And these underpasses have been under construction for less than a year. infact, mustafa kamal has been in office for exactly a year now.
So i ask people to be patient. there are always delays in big projects...saying this because of personal experiences due to being a contractor myself. You really can't help if it rains, or if major lines have to be switched. And in pakistan's case...Beaurucratic hurdles. So i ask all here to be patient. i think they are doing a good job. instead of criticising them all the time, we should think positive.

My father used to say, target hundred percent and you will get ninety percent in your exams. CDGK targetted 4 months and is going to finish these projects within 8-9months. i think this 9 months is still pretty faster than the 2 years time to build A flyover sometime back.