Karachi: Progress News & Updates [Archive] - Page 4

October 23rd, 2006, 08:21 PM

See the reason why the people of Karachi are always "crying" is because Mustafa Kamal initiated every underpass, flyover, road construction job simultaneously without proper planning. There are no alternate routes for the motorists, there is no traffic advisory and to top it all off, our traffic police is as inefficient as humanly possibly!

In the "civilised" world, contractors and the city plan every single little detail before initiating the smallest project and in Karachi they dug up the whole city without even thinking of what will happen in the rainy season! I have lived in Karachi almost all my life and never has the city come to a standstill like it did in the recent rainy season! Its ridiculious! We have people dying from dengue fever because of the mosquitos spawning in the stagnant rainwater months after the rain has ended!?!

One might argue that it is better to do it all at once then wait 9 years for it to finish. Thats all "well and good", if there was a little planning, some alternate routes, traffic advisories and a beefed up traffic police, then perhaps that argument would have some weight in it but the way Mr. Kamals administration does business, it seems as if they have no regard for the citizens of Karachi.

My :2cents:

Thats exactly what I'm trying to prove, I live in Karachi and thus I know what problems we face, and the sad part is that there is no one accountable for what's happening in Karachi, that's what the most depressing part is.

We have the Dengue Fever now, everyone out there is saying it is because of the Stagnant water that was not properly taken care of after the rains, who is accountable for that?

The Traffic jams, the Mayor on one hand says that there were no Traffic jams in the past 20-30 days (Ramadan), while the intersection that I live near was flooded and cars were stuck for no less then 30-40 minutes, almost daily, and mostly due to the Traffic lights not working, who's accountable?

There are dozens of issues that I can post, but then again what's the point?

Either I'll be judged as complaining or crying, so its better to just digest it all in while we pray everything is sorted out for Karachi.

himali

October 23rd, 2006, 08:26 PM

Agreed, but it may eat up an entire lane, but thats the point, to reduce car traffic and promote use of the Bus.

impose Congestion Charge in the most busiest area of city like in Central London

oogabooga

October 23rd, 2006, 09:36 PM

impose Congestion Charge in the most busiest area of city like in Central London

Oh please! People are already suffering from galloping inflation, bad infrastructure and then on top of that you want to impose a "congestion charge", just because they want to get to work?

@Fahadkhan

I thought that with this local government thing, a person can go to the nazim of an area and file a complaint about decaying infrastructure, thereafter, it would be the nazims responsibility to rectify the situation? Perhaps I'm mistaken but it was my understanding that the local government system would make people accountable for the things going wrong in Karachi?

@Himali

They are going to build an underpass on stadium road? Whens this going to happen and more importantly where is this underpass going to lead to?

October 23rd, 2006, 10:22 PM

@ooga

It has improved, but still you need a source or spend some money before the Local Nazim does your work.

himali

October 23rd, 2006, 10:26 PM

Oh please! People are already suffering ...

....They are going to build an underpass on stadium road? Whens this going to happen and more importantly where is this underpass going to lead to?

I said about congestion charge because someone said how to make use of buses more than use of cars. im talking about London, it helps not just for govt but for people themselves who reaches to their work place on time through buses and trains but if everyone start going by their cars they will stuck for hours.. you just can't imagine the level of traffic in central london.

In my yesterday's post i replied with a link which has details of the reason of why they are building times medico flyover leading towards karsaz and not an underpass...

here is detail of underpass

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/11/images/local02.jpg

KARACHI, May 10: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday laid the foundation of National Stadium interchange being constructed at the Stadium Road and Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Road traffic intersection at an estimated cost of Rs 671 million.

The project is a part of a signal-free corridor (from SITE industrial area to Karsaz) and will be completed in four months. Another component of the interchange is an underpass at the same intersection, but work on it would be initiated after the completion of the National Stadium interchange.

Highlighting the importance of the project, he said though an underpass is also part of the project, work on it has been delayed till the completion of the interchange to avoid problems concerning diversion of traffic. However, work on the underpass would begin shortly after completion of the interchange and it would be completed in four months.

Giving details of the National Stadium’s interchange, he said it would have one 210 metre long bridge and a 580 metre long underpass
Both the bridge and the underpass would have two lanes on either side, besides there will be 8000 square mile foothpath on either sides of the bridge and the underpass.

(source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/11/local7.htm)

October 23rd, 2006, 10:33 PM

Thanks but do you have a larger image? One can hardly see anything in that one.

Nonetheless, I dont understand this, the Flyover goes in a different direction while the Underpass will be in a different direction, how is that going to help people when they initiate work on the underpass?

If Im coming from Agha Khan Hospital towards Time Medico and going towards Hasan Square, how will that flyover help me? Since the Nazim said "work on it has been delayed till the completion of the interchange to avoid problems concerning diversion of traffic"

:dunno:

oogabooga

October 23rd, 2006, 10:33 PM

That pictures tiny, would you happen to have a bigger version?

himali

October 23rd, 2006, 11:03 PM

That pictures tiny, would you happen to have a bigger version?

as far as you can see the red lines (underpass) under the blue lines (overhead bridge) is good enough to understand the direction of underpass rest how you will go where and how will bridge help you, me can't tell you at this time.

ps. if i get the bigger version of this picture i'll post it

pakboy

October 23rd, 2006, 11:45 PM

congestion charge is only good if you have other modes of transport, like a good bus system and a metro/subway in the city.

oogabooga

October 24th, 2006, 12:18 AM

Here I made a larger version. Sorry about the sharp edges. Himali, tell me if I drew it properly?

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8281/timemedicosunderpassflyovergw8.jpg

Heres the Construction Site:

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9829/constructionsiteva5.jpg

PS: Sorry its a bit confusing I know, but I'm not a professional =)

October 24th, 2006, 12:45 AM

The funny part is that cars are driven on the LEFT side of the road in Pakistan, not the RIGHT side :lol:

But apart from that I think its alright

oogabooga

October 24th, 2006, 12:51 AM

The funny part is that cars are driven on the LEFT side of the road in Pakistan, not the RIGHT side :lol:

But apart from that I think its alright

Oops sorry my bad :crazy:

himali

October 24th, 2006, 01:51 AM

Oops sorry my bad :crazy:

no problem ooga sh!t happens.. but very good effort and thanks for your time to make this huge pictorial. now its very obvious to find your way

swerveut

October 24th, 2006, 08:12 AM

Agreed... but what about those ppl who know that its illegal to cross intersection on red light but they do so becasue no one is monitoring them .. its insanity ... we have to accept ..ppl lack civic sense there.. and you cant blame uneducated people.. even people there wearing suits driving 2006 Honda civic do the same thing...dont they know rules... and law enforcement cant sit on every intersection 24/7 .. its the responsibilty of driver to stop at red light even at 3 am in the morning when there is no car on the road perpendicular to him ... but no one seems to do so.. whose fault is it . law enforcemnt ot the citizen ? thats the question we have to ask .. no matter how many roads we will get in karachi , if drivers keep on trying to convert 3 lanes road in 6 lanes during driving ... we will never be able to solve traffic congession problem in the business capital of Pakistan ... peace

You just hit on a particular character of Pakistanis. We believe that in our own country, we are free to do however as we please. No laws should ever apply to us.

I know exactly what you are talking about! I have been with numerous well-educated drivers who would drive the wrong way on a road just to get to a u turn quicker, or who would cut across the median at a traffic light just to get ahead of the waiting cars, etc. If the people arent conscientious themselves in following laws, it just means we lack civility ourselves. No doubt a lot of people who do this are uneducated idiots who should be reigned in by the police, however lots of well educated people also do it which is just a bad reflection of our society.

your logic is incorrect and first of, you don't need to reverse if the parking area is designed as a one way lanes system where you only need to go straight without reversing your car.

come again???

We are talking about parking spots right? There are only two kinds: 1) parallel parking spots, 2) standard parking spaces where cars are aligned at an angle or are parked perpendicularly aligned to the road next to each other.
Both of them require some reversing and slowing down!

I dont know what kind of out-of-this-world parking system you are talking about, but keep in mind, there isnt an infinite amount of space under a flyover!

flyover is ABOVE the intersection flyover has nothing to do with the jamm traffic below it neither the parking area, if you go there again look carefully its because of signal failure on the intersection where a TC standing at the middle of intersection and trying to manage people like you and look at the university road flyover how many cars were parked there. use head!!! :doh:

Isnt the whole purpose of a flyover to eliminate traffic signals and stoppage times? If you still need a signal after the construction of a flyover, what good is it?

But thats besides the point. I dont know if the traffic jam under NIPA flyover is because of parking or what not, but regardless, a parking area under a flyover on busy intersections just sounds impractical to me. Even if the parking cars dont interrupt the free flow of traffic (like it happens in your out-of-this-world parking space), the traffic of people crossing the roads below to get to and from their parked cars would be disruption enough.

Agreed, but it may eat up an entire lane, but thats the point, to reduce car traffic and promote use of the Bus.

Thats not the only disadvantage of Busways however. They are lower capacity than light rail and also have low speeds. If light rail is adopted however, it will be a system completely independent of roads and would be much more expandable. Therefore it will allow you freedom of choice in taking either mode of transportation.

Here I made a larger version. Sorry about the sharp edges.

Thats a great diagram oogabooga. I think that they should make an underpass and have a small roundabout over it at-grade. That should make traffic flow in all directions very fast.

swerveut

October 24th, 2006, 08:16 AM

KARACHI: One track of three underpasses opened

KARACHI, Oct 22: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal opened one track of three underpasses currently being built at Nazimabad, Liaquatabad and Gharibabad to facilitate vehicular traffic going from SITE to Hassan Square.

While performing the opening of underpasses late Saturday night, Mustafa Kamal said, “Ongoing development projects at SITE-Sharea Faisal corridor would be completed this year after which new projects would be initiated.”

He said that the underpasses being built at Ibn-i-Sina Road were the biggest ever constructed in the country.

The nazim, who came from Nazimabad to Gharibabad, told newsmen that the development process initiated in Karachi would never end. “After completion of these projects, Karachi would emerge among the most developed cities of the world.”

He said that all the three underpasses had three lines. The length of Nazimabad underpass was 768 meters and its estimated cost was Rs360 million while 667-meter-long Liaquatabad underpass would cost Rs350 million and 560-meter-long Gharibabad underpass would be completed at a cost of Rs220 million, he added.

The work on Liaquatabad underpass kicked off on March 9 and Nazimabad underpass on March 11 this year.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mustafa Kamal said: “Today I would like to congratulate the people of Karachi who endured hardships and inconvenience during the completion process of these projects. Now the time has come to derive maximum benefits from these projects,” he said.

He said after opening of one of the tracks of these underpasses, distance from SITE to Hasan Square could be covered in few minutes.

The nazim 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 we 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 that 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, he said and cited the example of bridges at Liaquatabad and Nazimabad built in nine and four years respectively. The work on three underpasses was carried out round-the-clock, which accelerated the completion of these underpasses, he added.

Mustafa Kamal said that the city government presented two gifts to the citizens; one in Ramazan in the shape of proper traffic management which ensured no traffic jams during the holy month and another gift on Eid in the form of opening of one track of the underpasses.

“Not only the present generation will be benefited from these underpasses but people will keep reaping their fruits for the next 50 years,” he added.

The nazim said that the development projects in the city had not been started in a haphazard manner but there was a vision behind all these projects. The economic condition of areas, where the projects were being executed, would be transformed completely as there would be noticeable increase in economic activities there, he pointed out.

He said that about 60 per cent population of the city would be facilitated with these underpasses as people of Orangi Town, Nazimabad, SITE, Baldia, Liaquatabad, Gulshan-i-Iqbal and New Karachi Towns will travel through these underpasses everyday.

DCO Fazlur Rehman, Liaquatabad Town Nazim Osama Qadri and others were present at the opening ceremony.—PPI/APP

Source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/23/local1.htm

swerveut

October 24th, 2006, 08:22 AM

KARACHI: City govt plans skyline along coast

By Hasan Mansoor

KARACHI, Oct 23: The city government has got summaries for the development of a skyline on a four-kilometer stretch along the beach approved by the Sindh government to ensure that no buildings of less than nine storeys are built along that area, officials in the CDGK told Dawn.

“The chief minister has formally approved the summaries for this plan and soon building regulations and bylaws would be devised to pave the way for the plan to develop a symmetrical skyline along the coastal area from Beach Park to the KPT’s oil terminal,” a senior CDGK official said.

He said the municipal authorities in the past had been trying to get the plan approved by the provincial government but they did not succeed. It took a couple of decades for municipal officials to convince the provincial government about a project bound to offer a skyline of its own to Karachi and to enhance its beauty, he added.

City Nazim Mustafa Kamal confirmed the information adding that it was part of the city government’s plans to develop and beautify the coastal areas of Karachi.

“It will be part of the same sequence as that of Beach Park and Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim, which are one of the best parks we have,” he said.

He said the chief minister had approved the plans and it would not take much time to implement it.

“It might not be completed in my tenure, but our coast will start wearing a beautiful look during our term,” he said.

Mr Kamal said once all the modalities were set, no building less than ground-plus nine storeys would be permitted in the designated area.

These buildings would be commercial plazas and it would be ensured that they should be self-sufficient in all the necessary facilities.

“The owners of the buildings will be bound to acquire their own desalination plant for water supply. Besides, every owner will install a sewerage treatment plant and power generators in his building,” said Mr Kamal, adding that sufficient parking spaces would also be mandatory for every building so that they could not add to the already worsening traffic problem.

The development of the city’s coastal belt of over 100 kilometres has been an unfulfilled dream for its people. The CDGK has unveiled its plans for its four-kilometre long limits but multiple agencies owning the city’s shoreline having no such projects so far. The city’s coastal belt has the Hub River Mount at the one end and the Cape Mount, Gizri Creek, Clifton and Manora on the other.

Such city government’s plans are aimed at pure commercialization of its coastal area but there are few projects with various agencies that could ensure fun and joy for Karachi’s millions of people at affordable cost.

In the past, the defunct Karachi Development Authority had built a road from Mauripur to the Paradise Point for picnickers but the government did not allow the KDA to collect toll tax, which discouraged other agencies from developing the beach.

Sources in the city government said there were still various projects aimed at developing the beach submitted by different agencies pending approval because of differences in three tiers of the government.

Former city Nazim Niamatullah Khan had invited those Pakistanis living abroad to invest in coastal projects but failed to bring in anyone because of the notorious red-tape and his tussle with the provincial government. Investors from the United States, France, Malaysia and other countries visited Karachi a couple of years ago and showed interest in developing the city’s beaches but they returned discouraged mainly because of the fragile law and order situation and political instability here.

Source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/24/local6.htm

swerveut

October 24th, 2006, 08:58 AM

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9043/khicantstaip4.jpg

The Cantonment Station looks deserted after the departure of passengers bound towards the interior of the country for celebrating Eid

Source: www.jang.com.pk epaper Oct 24th, 2006

himali

October 24th, 2006, 09:40 AM

We are talking about parking spots right?

Thats just an idea of utilizing the space below flyovers and there could be many other options but filling the space with sand is just insanity, in london there are numerous number of examples of utilizing the space below any bridge.

there isnt an infinite amount of space under a flyover!

what made you think that you should mention this? the whole point of mine was to utilize the available space somehow and should not be blocked by sand and walls.

I dont know what kind of out-of-this-world parking system you are talking about

Does it mean that if there are only 2 kind of parking systems (that only you knows) there should not be any other system or you can't think of any other to be made?

If you still need a signal after the construction of a flyover, what good is it?

You don't need to mention it but because you have so i would say that there is a need of underpass under the flyover like they are going to do on stadium interchange but still there will be a need of traffic lights for other 4 directional traffic.

swerveut

October 25th, 2006, 06:47 AM

Does it mean that if there are only 2 kind of parking systems (that only you knows) there should not be any other system or you can't think of any other to be made?
.

*Throwing my hands up in the air*

I think some common sense is in order here.

October 25th, 2006, 07:29 AM

Did you guys hear about the recently opened underpasses? They have developed potholes !

Its on the Metropolitian Page of DAWN (Today's)

October 25th, 2006, 07:45 AM

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/25/images/local01.jpg

KARACHI, Oct 24: Just three days after the opening of one track of the Liaquatabad underpass, a portion of it caved in on Tuesday apparently due to the substandard material used in the construction.

The portion developed several craters rendering the road unusable for traffic movement. On its part, the city government has maintained that “a few craters have developed on the road because carpeting had not yet been done.” It said that the carpeting would be done soon.

Meanwhile, the traffic police have temporarily closed the underpass for heavy traffic in view of the possibility of any accident.

A visit to the affected portion of the underpass, which was inaugurated by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal three days back, showed that the craters were badly affected the smooth flow of traffic as drivers of the vehicles enter the underpass were facing problems in passing through it at a normal speed due to the ditches and the poor visibility owing to inadequate light inside.

At least a 30-feet-long portion of the underpass has developed small and big craters. “This is not an extraordinary situation as such things happen when a road is left without carpeting for some reasons. The road will be restored to its normal position through carpeting, which will be done within a few days,” a senior city government official said.

Inquiries show that the construction work of the underpass was completed in a hurry to meet the deadline set by the city government to inaugurate the facility before Eid.

A spokesman for the Friends Syndicate, which has been granted the contract for the construction of Liaquatabad underpass, admitted that the construction work on this project had not been completed so far. He maintained that the underpass had been opened for traffic in order to ensure a smooth flow on Ibn-i-Sina Road on an emergency basis before Eid.

He described the craters that have developed on the road as ‘a normal phenomenon’, and said that the damaged portion would be repaired soon.

According to sources, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board had cautioned the city government that the underground water level in the area was high and might cause such a damage but the city government did not take the warning seriously.

Rejecting the impression that the caution had not been heeded, some city government officials said although the underground water level in the area happened to be high and was creating some problems, the city government had decided to continue with the work after taking remedial measures, including boring of wells along the underpass and installing electrical pumps to drain out the water, accumulating in the underground, into these wells.

The visit also reveals that there is no proper lighting system in the covered portion of the underpass which remains dark even in the daytime.

A traffic police official deputed at the Liaquatabad traffic check post said that the craters, coupled with the absence of proper light, had increased the risk of accidents, prompting the traffic police to close the underpass route temporarily.

City government officials said that there was a room for improvement in the lighting system, but blamed the low voltage in power supply for the poor light inside. As soon as the full voltage was available, the problem would stand solved, they said.

A visit to the newly constructed Nazimabad underpass also suggested that substandard material had been used in its construction as craters were seen in the middle of the road all along it, hampering a smooth flow of traffic on it.—Online

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/25/local1.htm

Picture courtesy DAWN

-----------------------------------------------

WTF? The City Government maintained that "a few" craters have developed, that is just bull shit talk!

And the contractor saying its perfectly normal for such to happen, perfectly normal would have been use of high quality material and proper implementation to ensure that such would not happen again.

So much for Nazim Saheb's EID gift to Karachiites :rofl:

asfar

October 25th, 2006, 08:11 AM

i was so fuking pissed when i read this news at dawn...people accountable must be held for this :evil:

alirox

October 25th, 2006, 09:27 AM

dont worry the sources have said that the final carpetting etc have not yet been done,it was opnened early to reduce traffic bfore eid!

anyway does anyone have any news on this HARMAIN royal residency?
the add came on dawn today!

UnitedPakistan

October 25th, 2006, 01:21 PM

The incomptence is killing me

October 25th, 2006, 06:39 PM

I wonder why it was even opened for Traffic when it was not carpeted? Because you are only risking lives due to that, and Im glad atleast there was no accident due to this stupid issue.

The Nazim should be held responsible, he was the one who hurried the so called completion, I can just imagine him telling the head contactor "Abay yaar khol de aik side, chor carpeting ko baad may karlaingay eid kay baad"

Techno-Architect

October 25th, 2006, 10:18 PM

A very irresponsible statement given by the Nazim. If the project is not completed why open it to create further problems. Ur even spoiling the maintainance work done over the road over such a long time n opening it incomplete it like asking a patient to start eating rubbish before he has recovered properly!

October 25th, 2006, 10:45 PM

And I am pretty sure the Nazim will get away with it, pretty much like he did when the projects were delayed and pretty much like every other thing he has pucked up for us.

Again, only in Pakistan.

Muhammad_ameen

October 26th, 2006, 03:41 AM

@ All stuff above....

"HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA HAHA HAHA HAHA HAHAHA "

Ye wo hansi hay jo aadmi k pagal honay k baad hoti hay :D.....aur ye tasveer dekh ker main kuch KHUSHI say pagal hogaya hoon :D WAjah ye hay k mujhay khushi hui hay hum nay apni REEET na chhori ...... wohi adhooray kaaam.....ghair mayaari aur naaqis material.....ghair zimmay darana bayaan....siasi bayaan bazi.....NAIMATULLAAH(jo k Mustufa Kamal k dada k babar hay) ko gaalian bakna....wo bhi Tv pre.......hahahhaha I M GLAD.....

They are doing the right thing....which they are inherited....:).....lol....I m not surprised to see the potholes....as I have seen the EFFICENCY of this 1 yr old Nazim.....Believe me....The roads carpetted in the era of Naimatullaah Khan, are still in immaculate condition....but the new roads which have been done in this year...are destroyed....or have their CONCRETE appeared on the surface......You people may observe it in the city....

Muhammad_ameen

October 26th, 2006, 03:47 AM

One thing more about the quality and precuations considered by the contractor is the underground water....Which still cant be stopped to seep through the asphalt.......I am astonished why the (so-called) MEGA PROJECTS in Karachi havnt been given to NESPAK and FWO (excpet Lyari expresway), which are the only internatiolly renowned Construtions companies of Pakistan.....(also the NLC)....NESPAK has constructed the most underpasses in Pakistan...including those in Lahore....which I personally compare with any developed country's underpasses.....haaaaah....*SIGH*....

UnitedPakistan

October 26th, 2006, 04:15 AM

And who here was telling me the Karachi nazim was decent?

Muhammad_ameen

October 26th, 2006, 06:27 AM

Hahahaha.....:D HE WAS....yes....when he was making SHAIKH CHILLI'S CHINESE FRIED RICE....everybody looked at him with proud......thing have changed now.....He has unvieled his pure POLITICAL way to work....

Muhammad_ameen

October 26th, 2006, 06:32 AM

However....I am still waiting for the next year...which he is promising right now.....He stated the deadline for the underpasses 4 months....now it is more than 6 months....he is still demanding 3 more months.... :| ..... Let seee....How will the city look....when these all projects completed...

October 26th, 2006, 07:54 AM

The Nazim should cut his balls off and throw them in the potholes of the Underpass.

siamu maharaj

October 26th, 2006, 10:15 AM

October 26th, 2006, 12:31 PM

siamu maharaj

October 26th, 2006, 05:14 PM

Well, in all honestly I think that's a poor excuse for doing something wrong. You should never try to find an excuse for incompetence. They've had underpasses in Lahore for years now. There are much more rains, and I am sure the water table would be much much higher right next to that canal (or whatever it is). If anything, we can contract out these underpasses to them.

Having said that, I don't know why's this newfound obsession for underpasses. I am no expert, so can someone please compare underpasses and bridges/flyovers? Which ones are preferred in which case.

Metropole

October 26th, 2006, 06:14 PM

They've had underpasses in Lahore for years now. There are much more rains, and I am sure the water table would be much much higher right next to that canal (or whatever it is). If anything, we can contract out these underpasses to them.

The company that designed the KPT underpass is NESPAK (http://www.nespak.com.pk/)which is Pakistan's largest engineering firm and it's headquarters are in Lahore.

What we need in Karachi is to hire international companies that have experience in building infrastructure projects of decent quality.

October 26th, 2006, 08:33 PM

That is what I'm saying, why go crazy for Underpasses when we dont even have the expertise to build it.

Hell we've had trouble building Flyovers and wer out building underpasses!

October 26th, 2006, 08:36 PM

Btw what is the deal with the Quaidabad Flyover? I went to Quaidabad today and passed through the so-called U/C flyover.

It started in May 05 and is scheduled to complete in May 07, 2 years!

Does anyone have a map or something of it? They only have a few pillars up, and there is no construction in sight, hell hotels have their tables and chairs on the flyover construction site.

UnitedPakistan

October 26th, 2006, 09:29 PM

The company that designed the KPT underpass is NESPAK (http://www.nespak.com.pk/)which is Pakistan's largest engineering firm and it's headquarters are in Lahore.

What we need in Karachi is to hire international companies that have experience in building infrastructure projects of decent quality.
This isnt the companies fault but the local government of Karachi's fault. Nespak is a very good company and they have built many buildings and infastructure of high quality. They have even won a contract to make some middle eastern country's airport.

vazim

October 26th, 2006, 09:51 PM

to me its looks like the case of haste makes waste. probably CDG's haste to get the underpass completed as quickly as possible has resulted in this, at the end of day builder will be blaming CDG & vice versa. Shouldn't be the fault of builder all alone. There are underpasses in Lahore alongside canal & olds ones are in pretty good shape & newer ones okay as well. Underpass is not the kind of engineering where we need foreign companies >(

ahadhayat11

October 26th, 2006, 10:11 PM

i heard the underpass builders were blact listed initially...so i dont understand how they were allowed to build it in da first place.

UnitedPakistan

October 26th, 2006, 10:19 PM

i heard the underpass builders were blact listed initially...so i dont understand how they were allowed to build it in da first place.

If thats true Nespak didnt build this.

oogabooga

October 26th, 2006, 11:05 PM

NESPAK submitted many designs for the KPT Underpass, and initially another plan for it was selected but in the end the Karachi Port Trust went ahead with a simpler, cheaper, faster to construct design which also happened to be a bad choice. Cowasjee wrote several articles trying to pursuade the city government to intervene but to no avail. NESPAK is not at fault here people. NESPAK just draws up the plans. The tenders are awarded to the construction firms whose bid is the lowest. If our city government selects the cheapest and crappiest proposal than they are solely responsible for such shoddy construction work.

Having said that, I dont see what the big deal is, about making a bloody underpass! All of our underpasses are made using dig and cover method, which is the simplest way to construct an underpass. It is not a tunnel it is simply a dig and cover job, in which the portion of the road where the underpass is to be built is dug up to a certain depth, pillars are erected on both sides of the dug up trench and a steel reinforced concrete slab is built on the pillars to cover it up, effectively creating an underground artery. We dont need any "foreign assistance" to construct such underpasses, all we need is some common sense and accountability! Until and unless people arent held accountable for their actions, we wont even be able to construct a proper road!

Mustafa Kamal wanted to open these underpasses on eid just so that he can get some browny points. What the incompetent fool didnt realise is that he is causing the masses more trouble by doing so. Its like we have an enthusiastic 5 year-old running our city!

And like Umais said, Lahore has had underpasses for quite sometime now, whereas it is a relatively new concept in Karachi. Their underpasses are fine, we never hear about them breaking down or potholes on their roads, which proves that it is incompetence which restricts us from properly constructing our infrastructure.

ahadhayat11

October 26th, 2006, 11:24 PM

I sometimes really wonder why the hell the City Govt is crazy about building underpasses in Karachi considering the fact that we are not experts at it (KPT Underpass) and we lack proper machinery and planning.

I agree wid u in some respect and i disagree wid in another. I think after the KPT underpass was made, the new city govt went balistic with the idea of fly overs and underpasses. But i think the KPT underpass itself is fine. The after math of the rains showed that the drainage system along side the underpass wasnt working, thus the underpass was the place where all the water accumalated(the first time it rained). After the first rain day, every other time it rained the only place which had no water or wasnt flooded was the kpt underpass. So no, Nespak, which made the underpass did a fine job. Its the drainage system which you need to fix. with the kpt underpass, i do go faster through schon circle.

Secondly, i think the other 3 underpasses made in khi are made by mehran contractors(i am not sure), but from a few sources that i do have, i heard they were black listed. If that is the case, how did the govt allow them to work on such a huge project.

ahadhayat11

October 26th, 2006, 11:25 PM

If thats true Nespak didnt build this.

yeah the new ones arent made by nespak..nespak may have made the disigns but its mehran builders or sumthin, who constructed it

ahadhayat11

October 26th, 2006, 11:30 PM

UnitedPakistan

October 26th, 2006, 11:40 PM

Cowasjee had a prob with it because he now has to go all the way to submarine chowk and then turn back to go to old clifton where most parsis live.. He wanted a trafic light on the underpass(which wud defeat its purpose) and dat was just a self centred act...As for it being cheaper or faster etc... idk whr u got ur info, and how u blamed kpt for it. Nespak made the plans and fwo constructed it....u do know that fwo is the most expensive and the best construction firm we have in pakistan right. So i think uv got ur facts twisted here

WRONG!

FWO is part of the army and they are the same firm that built the KKH. Now, I have been on the KKH 1 month ago and it was one hell of a road that has lasted 30 years and just a few minor cracks have just started appearing because of plans to expand and strip parts of the road to have them moved specifically in the Basha Diamer area. FWO makes roads with great quality!

ahadhayat11

October 27th, 2006, 12:22 AM

WRONG!

FWO is part of the army and they are the same firm that built the KKH. Now, I have been on the KKH 1 month ago and it was one hell of a road that has lasted 30 years and just a few minor cracks have just started appearing because of plans to expand and strip parts of the road to have them moved specifically in the Basha Diamer area. FWO makes roads with great quality!

read wat i said again..i never said they arent da army..i kno they comprise of ex and working army ppl..from brig. to jawaans...
they are the most efficient builders..dats wat i said...they are the best we have in pakistan...So i think u read or took the wrong meaning out of wat i said

UnitedPakistan

October 27th, 2006, 12:24 AM

[/QUOTE]read wat i said again..i never said they arent da army..i kno they comprise of ex and working army ppl..from brig. to jawaans...
they are the most efficient builders..dats wat i said...they are the best we have in pakistan...So i think u read or took the wrong meaning out of wat i said

No, you put the blame clearly on either Nespak or FWO.

Nespak made the plans and fwo constructed it....u do know that fwo is the most expensive and the best construction firm we have in pakistan right. So i think uv got ur facts twisted here

ahadhayat11

October 27th, 2006, 01:00 AM

No, you put the blame clearly on either Nespak or FWO.[/QUOTE]

No i didnt..if u read all my posts..im saying that the kpt underpass is made just fine...its made by nespak and fwo..which are the best in thr field...and kpt has paid for it ( which is making one of the highest turnovers in its history). So what im saying is that the kpt underpass is fine...so thr is no need to blame kpt, or nespak or Fwo....it over flooded cos of da drainage prob...after da initial time..da underpass has never had any watever problems.....dats wat i have said....uv taken my words totally out of context..

UnitedPakistan

October 27th, 2006, 01:10 AM

Well the problem was that you continued to talk about the KPT underpass when the topic is about this specific underpass therefore causing confusion.

himali

October 27th, 2006, 01:40 AM

FFS stop this long arguments and post some updated pictures of any project
long time no see :|
cheers

UnitedPakistan

October 27th, 2006, 02:21 AM

The basis of all forums is debate.

Muhammad_ameen

October 27th, 2006, 05:47 AM

My concern isn't the delay. I'm more concerned about the REASON behind the delay. If it's to do with unfinished carpeting then it's not a problem. But if it's got to do with water seeping through, then it might be a major problem and the whole thing may need to be redone. From the looks of it, judging from the lo-res picture, I think it's the latter. Especially the fact that the KSWB guy also warned about it. I think it's a major screw-up. Karachi's Small Dig, I guess?

Well it isnt the job of KW&SB to tell the contractor about UNDERGROUND water....Its obvious and a logical thing.....Underground water is the first thing which you find in digging the ground after soil......Its simply the consequence of INEXPERIENCE and NON-QUALIFICATION....Some of contractors include FRIEND'S SYNDICATE, MEHRAN BUILDERS....I dont know who is building which project.....but I am hundred percent sure that I hadnt ever heard these two names before these PROJECTS started.....Even I am a DEEP READER of newspapers and Couch sitter(Tv)....This is ridiculous...

I sometimes really wonder why the hell the City Govt is crazy about building underpasses in Karachi considering the fact that we are not experts at it (KPT Underpass) and we lack proper machinery and planning.

Well they have the proper machinery....I bet because I have seen all these sites during construction many a times, I have noticed the machinery first....It was all CATERPILLAR's modern machinery....but the answer is the same.....INEXPERIENCE....NO PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS....

Btw what is the deal with the Quaidabad Flyover? I went to Quaidabad today and passed through the so-called U/C flyover.

It started in May 05 and is scheduled to complete in May 07, 2 years!

Does anyone have a map or something of it? They only have a few pillars up, and there is no construction in sight, hell hotels have their tables and chairs on the flyover construction site.

Well Quaidabad Flyover has been an issue since years.....Its the project of Pakistan Steel Mills under the Tameer-e-Karachi program( i believe)....and to build a flyover at that congested site with the reason stated above(inexperience) is a great problem......I remember the construction of NIPA flyover in 1995-06....It took a long time....although Nawaz Sharif was personally involved in the matter.....

Here I would like to mention the Quaidabad flyover which is on the Main Pakistan Railway lines....It is also in a very bad condition since my childhood...I have passed by there probably hundreds of times....btw It was built after the riots started by an accident in around 85 in which a Train hit the local Minibus in full motion.....after which most of the passengers died...Before the construction of this flyover, there was a traditional RAILWAY PHHAATAK(manual), the bus driver thought that I would pass the lines before the train would come...but....!!!!

After the riots this flyover was built in a hurry and you see that it has a very SUDDEN RAMP....at which ALL vehicles' speed die......

Thesame SUDDEN RAMP is being built at Sohrab Goth Flyover....if anyone has seen it.....see it from the Shell Petrol Pump's side....Ridiculous...

Metropole

October 27th, 2006, 06:44 AM

Muhammad_ameen

October 27th, 2006, 06:58 AM

I have heard about Three Underpasses at Ibn-e-Seena Road....first at Nazimabad, second at Liaqatabad and third at Gharibabad....If my info is correct then in the following picture where is Gharibabad?

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/AmeenAttari/underpassescopy.jpg

And Does Somebody know what sort of interchange they are building at Sohrab goth?? Because the construction untill now hasnt cleared what is being made....There are underpasses being dug up at two points....flyovers' pillars at many places....I am posting the google earth Image after editing it according to what i have seen...:

Red Lines show the construction of Flyover
Blue Lines show the Underpasses
may be i m wrong about the number of underpasses....Could anyone clear it?

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/AmeenAttari/Sohrabgothhcopy.jpg

ahadhayat11

October 27th, 2006, 07:12 AM

ahadhayat11

October 27th, 2006, 07:12 AM

Well the problem was that you continued to talk about the KPT underpass when the topic is about this specific underpass therefore causing confusion.

my bad....but i hope u got my pt now.

Muhammad_ameen

October 27th, 2006, 08:07 AM

Intoxication

October 27th, 2006, 11:41 AM

Mustafa Kamal wanted to open these underpasses on eid just so that he can get some browny points. What the incompetent fool didnt realise is that he is causing the masses more trouble by doing so. Its like we have an enthusiastic 5 year-old running our city!

:rofl:

swerveut

October 27th, 2006, 06:09 PM

Guys, let me say something that will bother patriotic Pakistanis but it is the truth.

1) Pakistani companies do NOT have the level of skill and experience to build world quality infrastructure projects and neither can they design nor build a world class skyscraper.

2) There is a tendency to try to build the cheapest possible product rather than pay more and build to an international quality.

3) There is a big ego problem which leads everyone to say "hey, I can do as good a job as the best gora". But in reality they cannot.

The KPT underpass is a classic example. It was built by the best Pakistani firms but it is a bogus design built to a low quality. In this the fault can be attributed to all the companies involved, KPT for commissioning it, NESPAK for the design and FWO for building it. The design is useless because it does not allow right turns at the intersection and it drowned during the first rains. The stark contrast is with the Jinnah Bridge interchange which was designed by a Japanese firm and is of international quality.

Most of the flyovers in Karachi are of horrible quality and the new ones being built are no better. When I see the pictures of the under construction work I want to pull out my hair in despair.

The excuse is that this is all that we can afford in Pakistan. But I've been to seven different cities in China and everywhere they are building roads, bridges, airports, skyscrapers etc. of international quality. They have an attitude that they are going to be among the best in the world. When I was in Shanghai, I was told that the major projects were designed and built by Western firms for several years and local Chinese companies worked as junior partners. Once the Chinese companies had gained experience then they started doing all the projects themselves.

In Pakistan the local companies just do not have the experience to design and build major projects. That's exactly why a Korean company was chosen to build the first motorway. In contrast the FWO built the Karachi to Gwader highway. At the first rain many kilometers of the highway were washed away and had to be rebuilt.

For building skyscrapers almost no company has experience building higher than 10-15 stories. The MCB tower which is just 20+ stories took almost 5 years to build using obsolete construction methods. By contrast, in a more developed country they can put up the structure of a 40 storey building in 1 year and then they can do the finishing in another year. So in two years a 40 storey building can be built and handed over. Let’s see how long it takes for Creek City to complete. They've been building these 17 storey buildings for a few years now.

The interesting thing is that prices of real estate in major Pakistani cities are now at international levels. For example, retail space in prime spots in Karachi goes for upto Rs. 60,000/sq ft. ($1000/sq ft). This is an insanely high price even by American standards. Yet the space you get for this price is of junk quality by international standards.

The moral of the storey is that we can afford to build high quality stuff. We can afford to hire international architects, project managers and construction companies. We just need to develop the state of mind that says that we will build things in Pakistan of world standards.

Very well said.
I have noticed myself on my trips back how badly constructed most of the bridges and flyovers in Karachi are. Pakistani companies have a knack for doing things in the simplest possible manner without much knowledge behind it. Thats why you get a Shaheed-e-Millat road flyover on FTC with traffic lights on top of it, a flooded underpass with no provision for proper traffic crossflow, and a highway that gets washed away by rain because no proper topographical drainage surveys were probably carried out before it was built.

You are right in saying that Pakistani companies need more expertise under foreign firms first, in order to gain knowledge about things before they can apply them themselves. But then again, the discipline to properly apply this knowledge is also lacking within us. The simplistic, cheapest approach always seems to win in the end. Even if it compromises on quality, convenience of the citizens or even long term durability.

One thing I disagree with you on however: As far as buildings go, Pakistan is different from a lot of Western countries in building design. Whereas most of the highrises in Western countries are built out of mostly a steel framework and are quick and easy to put up like a jigsaw puzzle, most buildings in Pakistan are made out of reinforced concrete which takes a longer time to gain proper strenghth, and therefore results in a longer time for buildings to finish. Why dont we build with just steel structures? I guess it has a great deal to do with the area's environment (easy availability of concrete as opposed to steel, humidity, earthquakes, etc), and maybe even the cost of construction. However, concrete buildings are usually of a superior quality than steel framed skyscrapers so there is nothing to worry about there.

B)...i live near boston...and thr is an underpass and a few bridges being made here. Guess how long its been going on for....8-10 yrs...yes....over 8 yrs..not one person sits here and has a prob with the detour and all dat..they dnt mind going a km infront to take a rite turn...so why do we in pakistan keep honking away ..havin prob with rite turns..we also have a prob wid da time duration...

You just cannot compare the Boston Big Dig with an underpass in Karachi. The Boston dig is to cover a whole 6 lane expressway and take it underground completely for most all of its length, however most underpasses in Karachi are just small underpasses at intersections. The scope of the project is VASTLY different. You could maybe compare the Boston Dig to the Lyari Expressway which has already taken more than 10 years even though its scope is also a little less than the Boston Dig.

Also, why do people in Boston dont worry about going a little distance more is that they have a proper alternative route set up complete with proper laned, carpeted roads with traffic lights, whereas in Karachi's projects you would be hard pressed to find an alternative route which is even properly carpeted. The result? nightmarish traffic situations, massive inconvenience (not a small one), loss of business activities... why? all a result of bad planning on the part of the city authorities. And after you have waited so long and endured so much, what do you get in the end? something badly designed and cheaply constructed. I am actually glad Karachiites are actually raising their voice about it and not sitting down quietly taking whatever they get. We need to raise our expectations higher. Than only will we be able to get somewhere.

siamu maharaj

October 27th, 2006, 07:07 PM

I agree with Karachiite. It's negligence + incompetence + sheer inability + incapability + cutting corners. Some mix of the above. And if you are unlucky enough, all of the above.

siamu maharaj

October 27th, 2006, 07:10 PM

Metropole

October 27th, 2006, 08:44 PM

One thing I disagree with you on however: As far as buildings go, Pakistan is different from a lot of Western countries in building design. Whereas most of the highrises in Western countries are built out of mostly a steel framework and are quick and easy to put up like a jigsaw puzzle, most buildings in Pakistan are made out of reinforced concrete which takes a longer time to gain proper strenghth, and therefore results in a longer time for buildings to finish. Why dont we build with just steel structures? I guess it has a great deal to do with the area's environment (easy availability of concrete as opposed to steel, humidity, earthquakes, etc), and maybe even the cost of construction. However, concrete buildings are usually of a superior quality than steel framed skyscrapers so there is nothing to worry about there.

swerveut, regarding skyscrapers, nowadays most tall buildings in Asia are built with concrete structures instead of steel frames. Even in Toronto all the condominium buildings that may be anywhere up to 70 stories high are built with reinforced concrete. In Toronto they add a storey every week while building the structure. In Dubai practically all the buildings are concrete, including the Burj Dubai that will be 160 stories high. While building the Burj they are adding a storey EVERY THREE DAYS.

The technology for fast track construction is not rocket science (actually we're better in rocket science than civil engineering). All you need is decent quality quick drying cement, concrete pumps to quickly transfer the concrete up the building and good quality forms (the concrete molding equipment). And, of course, you need experienced project managers who can supervise the workers.

Metropole

October 27th, 2006, 09:10 PM

Oh, I just noticed:

"But I've been to seven different cities in China and everywhere they are building roads, bridges, airports, skyscrapers etc. of international quality."

This sentence is really funny. See if you can spot why!

Umais, I get the joke - Karachi is not in China.

Here's my philosophy:

1) We're behind more developed countries in many things.
2) We can catch up and beat any one if we seriously tried.

From our own history go back a few hundred years back and you will
see that the Mughuls used to build to a quality standard that was among
the best in the world. Go and look at those buildings. Their design and
quality of construction is absolutely superb even by today's standards.

We will have to live for decades with the projects we're building today.
So what are we going to do in the year 2026 - tear down everything and
start all over again? By not building good quality projects now we're transfering costs into the future.

UnitedPakistan

October 27th, 2006, 09:18 PM

First of all you are looking at this all Karachi specific!

Companies do work by how much they are paid. If the Karachi govt is not paying well and they are no other jobs for the company they MUST cut corners to make it happen. It is all about funds NOT expertise. Look at Lahore's excellent roads and underpasses! With Ring road it will be just amazing.

vazim

October 27th, 2006, 11:01 PM

ahadhayat11

October 27th, 2006, 11:09 PM

Very well said.

You just cannot compare the Boston Big Dig with an underpass in Karachi. The Boston dig is to cover a whole 6 lane expressway and take it underground completely for most all of its length, however most underpasses in Karachi are just small underpasses at intersections. The scope of the project is VASTLY different. You could maybe compare the Boston Dig to the Lyari Expressway which has already taken more than 10 years even though its scope is also a little less than the Boston Dig.

Also, why do people in Boston dont worry about going a little distance more is that they have a proper alternative route set up complete with proper laned, carpeted roads with traffic lights, whereas in Karachi's projects you would be hard pressed to find an alternative route which is even properly carpeted. The result? nightmarish traffic situations, massive inconvenience (not a small one), loss of business activities... why? all a result of bad planning on the part of the city authorities. And after you have waited so long and endured so much, what do you get in the end? something badly designed and cheaply constructed. I am actually glad Karachiites are actually raising their voice about it and not sitting down quietly taking whatever they get. We need to raise our expectations higher. Than only will we be able to get somewhere.
what are you talkin abt dude... masspike towards boston and goin to ny...ur saying dats Evenly carpeted?and wat 6 lanes are u talkin abt? thr is one lane going towards boston and one lane comin out of it.. Thr is though a section, a small section whr it has 2 lanes on each side. If you are in Boston and thr is construction going on, no there is no detour, its too small a city usually, especially with the bridges and the tunnels being made. So no, i disagree wid u, Its not cos the roads are awesome here or that there prop laned roads...ppl are just patient..its as simple as dat... 10 yrs is a long time..for anything. I cant see anyone in pakistan being patient enuff for 10ys...and your comments "And after you have waited so long and endured so much, what do you get in the end? something badly designed and cheaply constructed."<<<this itself proves my pt...how long did it take for da underpass to be made...1 yr?...1 yr wait is sooo long? a bridge near Amherst, Ma ...a normal bridge...No intricacy required...took 5 yrs...2 lanes coming ..2 lanes going....no detour there...ppl wait for a good 30 mins to cross that bridge....why are they patient.....

UnitedPakistan

October 27th, 2006, 11:31 PM

^^ from your post it looks as everything is just cool in lahore, which is not. underpasses are good but not excellent, if one underpass is on right side other is on right. Roads are good in lahore but outskirts its very bad, even ferozepur road / mall etc are not in good conditions, man holes lids broken, bad patch work etc .. i wonder how it is in Karachi......

What fault have you found with the underpasses of Lahore? The fact that our our people vandalize it? As for the outskirts big deal! If you look in southern Lahore you will see they are working on expanding the roads and highways there on the Thokar Niaz side. In northern lahore that is the case but people are leaving to move away from that side of the city. And mind you there was a time back 2 years ago when most streets in Old Lahore did not have roads!!

Blame your countrymen who vandalize!:doh:

ahadhayat11

October 27th, 2006, 11:42 PM

What fault have you found with the underpasses of Lahore? The fact that our our people vandalize it? As for the outskirts big deal! If you look in southern Lahore you will see they are working on expanding the roads and highways there on the Thokar Niaz side. In northern lahore that is the case but people are leaving to move away from that side of the city. And mind you there was a time back 2 years ago when most streets in Old Lahore did not have roads!!

Blame your countrymen who vandalize!:doh:

fully agree!!!

swerveut

October 28th, 2006, 12:19 AM

swerveut, regarding skyscrapers, nowadays most tall buildings in Asia are built with concrete structures instead of steel frames. Even in Toronto all the condominium buildings that may be anywhere up to 70 stories high are built with reinforced concrete. In Toronto they add a storey every week while building the structure. In Dubai practically all the buildings are concrete, including the Burj Dubai that will be 160 stories high. While building the Burj they are adding a storey EVERY THREE DAYS.

The technology for fast track construction is not rocket science (actually we're better in rocket science than civil engineering). All you need is decent quality quick drying cement, concrete pumps to quickly transfer the concrete up the building and good quality forms (the concrete molding equipment). And, of course, you need experienced project managers who can supervise the workers.

Dont forget Creek City that was constructed using reinforced concrete and the all of the eight buildings were finished within three years. I think thats a pretty good speed for work! No doubt a lot of the other buildings arent made that fast in Karachi, but then again, they arent that big investments in the first place to warrant super speedy construction.

As far as MCB goes, only thing special about it is that its tall and has a modern looking exterior. Construction-wise, its just another typical Pakistani building like Saima Towers or whatever. Its not made on commercial scale either. The scale that buildings in Dubai and the rest of Asia are made on is entirely absent in our country all together (with the exception of a couple of modern projects like Creek City/Creek Marina etc. )

First of all you are looking at this all Karachi specific!

Companies do work by how much they are paid. If the Karachi govt is not paying well and they are no other jobs for the company they MUST cut corners to make it happen. It is all about funds NOT expertise. Look at Lahore's excellent roads and underpasses! With Ring road it will be just amazing.

Its not about paying well. Companies are usually chosen for city work based on tenders that they themselves bid on, and then are chosen to do quality work at an agreed-upon price. Most companies however, do bad standard work because of lack of proper checking and supervision and the companies substituting cheaper substandard material for good quality stuff just to earn an extra buck on the side.
Its all greediness at work along with improper planning and supervision.

what are you talkin abt dude... masspike towards boston and goin to ny...ur saying dats Evenly carpeted?and wat 6 lanes are u talkin abt? thr is one lane going towards boston and one lane comin out of it.. Thr is though a section, a small section whr it has 2 lanes on each side. If you are in Boston and thr is construction going on, no there is no detour, its too small a city usually, especially with the bridges and the tunnels being made. So no, i disagree wid u, Its not cos the roads are awesome here or that there prop laned roads...ppl are just patient..its as simple as dat... 10 yrs is a long time..for anything. I cant see anyone in pakistan being patient enuff for 10ys...and your comments "And after you have waited so long and endured so much, what do you get in the end? something badly designed and cheaply constructed."<<<this itself proves my pt...how long did it take for da underpass to be made...1 yr?...1 yr wait is sooo long? a bridge near Amherst, Ma ...a normal bridge...No intricacy required...took 5 yrs...2 lanes coming ..2 lanes going....no detour there...ppl wait for a good 30 mins to cross that bridge....why are they patient.....

What are you saying...The Boston Big Dig is a project big enough to warrant its own program on the Discovery channel! And I have visited Boston recently. I saw all the diversions that were in place for the traffic. Also most diversions I saw were of a MUCH better quality than you would find in Karachi. You are right, its a crowded city and most Bostonians seem patient, but keep in mind, Boston has an efficient mass transit system which gives people a good alternative to roads. In Karachi however, if you block up a road and not give a proper detour, life in that entire portion of the city comes to a standstill and its effects soon cascade out to the whole city.
I would again support people's right to complain. I think if they see something they think is bad, they should, and definitely MUST complain. Not only is it their right, but I think it should be a duty. At least its being responsible for your own city and not being a passive doormat who doesnt care about whatever is being done.

ahadhayat11

October 28th, 2006, 12:45 AM

What are you saying...The Boston Big Dig is a project big enough to warrant its own program on the Discovery channel! And I have visited Boston recently. I saw all the diversions that were in place for the traffic. Also most diversions I saw were of a MUCH better quality than you would find in Karachi. You are right, its a crowded city and most Bostonians seem patient, but keep in mind, Boston has an efficient mass transit system which gives people a good alternative to roads. In Karachi however, if you block up a road and not give a proper detour, life in that entire portion of the city comes to a standstill and its effects soon cascade out to the whole city.
I would again support people's right to complain. I think if they see something they think is bad, they should, and definitely MUST complain. Not only is it their right, but I think it should be a duty. At least its being responsible for your own city and not being a passive doormat who doesnt care about whatever is being done.

Dude, for a person to come from worcestor into boston...he/she wil drive...go thru the bumpy mass pike and then into boston whr roads are being constructe al da time..what they do is they close off one lane..and on da other lane, all da cars drive...everyone knows dat...and accordingly ppl go for work or a movie etc....They are patient not cos of the mass transit system, but because they know that everything cant b built in a day... What we expect from our ppl is dat u make it damn fast and make da best thing possible...it doesnt go hand in hand... I do agree tho, that da constructin of buildings and underpasses(like da new one wid da bumpy road) shoud b made off gud quality...but then wat abt us...wat abt our shortness towards being patient...abt not thinking long term but short term....abt havin to wait in a one laned road for a good 30 mins.....do we have enuff patience in us..No we dont....
Mustafa kamal opened and got this underpass made as fast as poss so he cud look gud infront of da public and his party....cos in pak ppl want things done fasst.....well u cant get both quality and speed at da same time....
soo i agree if our politicians werent selfish enuff in tryin to make themselves look gud we cud have better construction done...at da same time...whr did da idea of making things fast come from....'us'.....we gave him dat notion...we gave him dat norm...we gave him in some ways da licence to screw us over by makin crapppy stuff....u either tolerate da construction for 2-3 yrs....but if u cant...then dont complain...cos we have a big role in this aswell..

adzees

October 28th, 2006, 02:55 AM

one out of hundred comments.... Karachities just dont know how to drive vehicles on roads... We have no patient , every one just wants to go ahead from other cars... Thats what er karachities are.. accept it

Red aRRow

October 28th, 2006, 11:06 AM

Shahrea-Faisal-Nazimabad corridor to be completed by Dec

By our correspondent

KARACHI: The corridor from Nazimabad underpass to Sharah-e-Faisal will be completed by December this year and we would request President Musharraf to inaugurate these six unique mega-projects in the city.

This was stated by city Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal while talking to newsmen during a whirlwind tour of the three underpasses, Nazimabad, Ghareebabad and Liaquatabad on Friday.

Mustafa said these three projects had not been completed as yet. Nazim was referring to the news item appearing in a section of the press said this is negative propaganda against the present city government. How, he queried, could they estimate or claim use of sub-standard material, as the process of completion was not yet over.

He termed the “negative propaganda” a big conspiracy to stall the on going development process which is an injustice with the citizens and it is an open anti-city policy to which we strongly condemn and request the citizens of Karachi not to heed this “negative propaganda”.

Mustafa said through media, he wanted to assure the citizens that to facilitate them present city government was working day and night and will never compromise on the quality of the work.

He explained in detail that at present binding work has been done and still four layers had to be laid down and after that the cat’s eyes would be affixed on the road. He admitted that there were bumps but according to Nazim it was essential.

Mustafa took newsmen one by one to all the three underpasses and showed that sub soil water beneath these uncarpeted roads and said in a section of press Liaquatabad underpass has caved in due to sub-standard material being used.

Mustafa asked as to how such huge project could cave in just two days, he claimed that work on these under passes still in progress and beneath the under pass a pumping station is under construction and a drain has been made so that water could reach the underpass.

He said at the spot of the underpass road has been motorable, he said as soon as pumping station would be complete, the drain would be functional and the water being leaked will stop automatically

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=29654

October 28th, 2006, 11:07 AM

I agree that Karachi drivers dont have driving skills, I have been a victim of that for several years now.

But regarding the Big Dig and Karachi comparision, all I can contribute here is that even though the Big Dig is going to take time and alot of diversions, it still would be better then Karachi where a particular underpass would be opened just for the sake of brownie points, without getting it carpeted.

The Boston Big Dig may work for 10-20 years, while a particular road here would last for only 2 years by its own quality, while it may last 1 to 1-1/2 years if the KW&SB, KESC, PTCL want to put in their new lines or just for the sake of maintenance.

So I dont see why citizens of Karachi cant complain :)

vazim

October 28th, 2006, 12:41 PM

Liaquatabad Underpass all right, claims Kamal

The Nation -STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI - City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has clarified that potholes on the Liaquatabad underpass were not due to faulty constriction of the road, but that the road is still to be carpeted because of the construction of the underground pumping stations.
Talking to reporters at the underpass site, Kamal said that under-construction drainage system at Liaquatabad Underpass was still underway while one track of the underpass was opened only to benefit citizens. He called news items and pictures published in various newspapers a “conspiracy and negative propaganda against the Haq Parast leadership” which, he claimed, was “developing city on modern lines”.
He said that the projects launched by the city government were “corruption-free” and that the city government had decided not to compromise on pace and quality of the work. He, however, said that the damaged portion of the Liaquatabad underpass road would be carpeted finally after the installation of proper underground drainage system. “The formal inauguration of these projects would be done after the complete finishing of work,” he added.
Meanwhile, sources in the Works and Services Department told The Nation that huge quantity of underground water appeared in the middle of Liaquatabad Underpass which not only delayed the project but also annoyed the contractors as they lacked facilities to rectify the problem. The sources added that the contractor flew in foreign engineers to rectify the problem and also succeeded, but after their departure the water once again gushed out of the road.
The sources said that brackish water was still oozing in the middle of the Liaquatabad Underpass on the both tracks which was also delaying the construction work on the other track. However, they added that city government engineers were working round the clock to solve the problem

warning to those doing negative propaganda here :)

UnitedPakistan

October 28th, 2006, 05:23 PM

You all know I am going to have to issue a Fatwa against the Nazim of Karachi

siamu maharaj

October 28th, 2006, 06:10 PM

@Karachiite

I wasn't having a dig at you or anything. Actually, I agree with you on everything you said. What was a little funny was that you called it of international quality. Anything outside of Pakistan would automatically be "international". Not so funny when I explain it.

Adding more to this discussion, firstly, buildings are really built at a slow rate. Empire State Building (albeit a steel structure) was built in JUST 18 months! They added a floor every second day, if I haven't forgotten the Discovery program. Even Burj Dubai would just take 4 years. I think its top 50 stories are steel, the rest are concrete. So basically there's no pretense for such a slow rate of work in buildings in Karachi.

Talking of build quality, look at some of the recent flyovers. It's pathetic. I'll take a few pictures and you can see it for yourselves, they all look so jerry-built. The Hino interchange on the other hand has amazing finishing. I know, only a small portion of it has been finished, but you can see the finesse. Does anyone know the constructor?

UnitedPakistan

October 28th, 2006, 06:14 PM

Why dont we let Techno comment on this issue since NONE of you have the expertise on this issue.

swerveut

October 28th, 2006, 08:27 PM

Dude, for a person to come from worcestor into boston...he/she wil drive...go thru the bumpy mass pike and then into boston whr roads are being constructe al da time..what they do is they close off one lane..and on da other lane, all da cars drive...everyone knows dat...and accordingly ppl go for work or a movie etc....They are patient not cos of the mass transit system, but because they know that everything cant b built in a day... What we expect from our ppl is dat u make it damn fast and make da best thing possible...it doesnt go hand in hand... I do agree tho, that da constructin of buildings and underpasses(like da new one wid da bumpy road) shoud b made off gud quality...but then wat abt us...wat abt our shortness towards being patient...abt not thinking long term but short term....abt havin to wait in a one laned road for a good 30 mins.....do we have enuff patience in us..No we dont....
Mustafa kamal opened and got this underpass made as fast as poss so he cud look gud infront of da public and his party....cos in pak ppl want things done fasst.....well u cant get both quality and speed at da same time....
soo i agree if our politicians werent selfish enuff in tryin to make themselves look gud we cud have better construction done...at da same time...whr did da idea of making things fast come from....'us'.....we gave him dat notion...we gave him dat norm...we gave him in some ways da licence to screw us over by makin crapppy stuff....u either tolerate da construction for 2-3 yrs....but if u cant...then dont complain...cos we have a big role in this aswell..

I get the point you are trying to make. It makes sense for infrastructure projects to take some time when even small buildings take more than a year to complete in Pakistan. So pushing for a quick solution with an extremely high quality is kinda nonsensical. However, I think the Boston dig cannot be compared to Karachi's projects in terms of scale.

Adding more to this discussion, firstly, buildings are really built at a slow rate. Empire State Building (albeit a steel structure) was built in JUST 18 months! They added a floor every second day, if I haven't forgotten the Discovery program. Even Burj Dubai would just take 4 years. I think its top 50 stories are steel, the rest are concrete. So basically there's no pretense for such a slow rate of work in buildings in Karachi.

Talking of build quality, look at some of the recent flyovers. It's pathetic. I'll take a few pictures and you can see it for yourselves, they all look so jerry-built. The Hino interchange on the other hand has amazing finishing. I know, only a small portion of it has been finished, but you can see the finesse. Does anyone know the constructor?

I actually would prefer if Karachi's buildings took their time with construction. Because most builders in Karachi tend to cut corners and use sub standard construction practices, its good if they take their time. At least they might do something right with it. Unless proper building control is established and builders start using quality material and modern building practices, speeding up construction will only make buildings more dangerous.

Btw, can anybody please post some pictures of the U/C Hino flyover? How much work has been finished on it so far?

swerveut

October 28th, 2006, 08:28 PM

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9071/harmainrescr9.jpg

ahadhayat11

October 28th, 2006, 09:16 PM

@Karachiite

Talking of build quality, look at some of the recent flyovers. It's pathetic. I'll take a few pictures and you can see it for yourselves, they all look so jerry-built. The Hino interchange on the other hand has amazing finishing. I know, only a small portion of it has been finished, but you can see the finesse. Does anyone know the constructor?

isnt this the one that Kpt is financing for? i dont think its fwo whose making it, i think its sum pakistani civilian firm.....i dont think fwo is incharge of it..i may be wrong..i knw fwo took charge of the flyover off bahria college (m.t. khan road).

siamu maharaj

October 28th, 2006, 09:27 PM

What I was really trying to say is that I don't think a slow process necessarily translates to better build quality. At least in here. But I will try to talk to this civil engineer friend of mine. Let's see what she has to say.

As for the HINO pics, just look at any pics posted in the last 6 months, not much has changed. I struggle to spot construction workers these days.

October 28th, 2006, 11:05 PM

There is not that much construction really, they had completed the pillars and are now just moving at a snails place on the ramps.

swerveut

October 30th, 2006, 08:05 AM

Look closely, this ad also has a render of the Hino Flyover that is currently under construction:

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4944/defreghm1.jpg

swerveut

October 30th, 2006, 08:06 AM

A better render of the Harmain Residency

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2057/harres2ko4.jpg

vazim

October 30th, 2006, 10:25 AM

Inter-city bus terminal opening in Nov: CDGK

KARACHI (Online) - The city government has almost carried out all development works of inter-city bus terminal at Yousuf Goth, Baldia Town, and it is likely to be opened on mid of November.
An official said that the project was delayed for some time due to the absence of utility system in the areas.
He said that the Transport and Communication Department of the city government had completed all the development works of the terminal, however, it could not be made operational because, there was no water supply system in the area.
Official said that the water supply system had not exist in Yousuf Goth, therefore, the city government engineers were unable to take arrangement for supplying water to the terminal.
He said, for this purpose, the city government had asked the KWSB to develop water system in Yousuf Goth, which would not only supply water to the area residents but also procure water to the need of terminal.
Recently, the KWSB started work to lay water pipeline in the area which would be connected from NEK Pumping Station to supply water to the bus terminal, he said and added that if laying of water line was delayed the city government would not wait and start the supply of water through water tankers to make ensure the opening of bus terminal on mid of November.
The newly constructed terminal will have a facility to park 100 buses.
Some of the Balochistan-bound buses will be shifted there which are at present parked in several residential areas illegally

nation

siamu maharaj

October 31st, 2006, 07:41 PM

Can someone please tell me which is this fifth road in the Hino Interchange rendering? There are only 4 currently. I hope there are plans for a direct road that connect the interchange and Kh-e-Ittehad. I've always wished for one. It'd require a small ramp on Kh-e-Ittehad to be of any useful purpose, though. But it'd be a godsend if they do it.

moved_on

November 1st, 2006, 06:21 PM

Could someone please tell me about the Sohrab Goth Interchange? What sort of Interchange they are building at Sohrab Goth?

And I can see the Two Underpasses The Nazimabad and the Liaquatabad on the Google Earth...But cant locate The Gharibabad Underpass, plz someone show it to me...

Since I can't post pics, here are the coordinates for Gharibabad Chowrangi:
24 54' 37.41"N
67 03'16.52" E

oogabooga

November 2nd, 2006, 12:49 AM

How do you see all these new developments? My google earth shows several years old images!

oogabooga

November 2nd, 2006, 03:22 PM

By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque

KARACHI, Nov 1: The army is mounting pressure on the city government to open the National Stadium and Hassan Square flyovers and their adjoining roads for vehicular traffic at least a week before the commencement of the 4th International Defence Exhibition & Seminar (Ideas-2006).

Pakistan's mega defence show, Ideas 2006 Arms for Peace, is all set to begin on Nov 21 at the Expo Centre, situated yards away from the sites of the Hassan Square and National Stadium flyovers.

Foreign delegations from more than 74 countries will attend the seminar to be held on Nov 20 and the defence exhibition, which will be inaugurated by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Keeping in view the security concerns not only for the president but also for the foreign defence delegates and transportation of the defence equipment Pakistan has developed indigenously or with international collaboration, the army authorities have asked the city government to ensure the completion of the development work at the two flyovers by the middle of this month, the sources added.

They said that a brigadier was monitoring the pace of development work and was continuously in touch with the authorities of the city government. Initially, the CDGK authorities informed the army that the work to build the two flyovers would be completed much before the commencement of Ideas-2006 but later the army realised that the completion of the two projects till Nov 20 was nearly impossible.

However, in an attempt to make it possible, the sources said, the army started pressing the city government to expedite the development work and open the two flyovers and the adjoining roads for the exhibition-specific traffic. "They (army) want us to open the adjoining roads and at least the National Stadium flyover a week before the inauguration of the Ideas-2006 for select traffic,” said a senior city government official.

Besides, he said, the army also wanted the city government to repair and carpet the Karsaz Road before the exhibition, as it would be one of the probable routes of President Pervez Musharraf.

He said the army made it clear that the whole area, near the Expo Centre, would be declared as high-security zone for about a week and during this period they would not allow any labourer to carryout development work.

He said: “We can open the National Stadium flyover as about 90 per cent of the work has been done while the city government is in the process of carpeting roads around the flyover to ensure smooth flow of traffic”. However, he conceded that the opening of the Hassan Square flyover before the Ideas-2006 exhibition would be a difficult task.

City Nazim Mustafa Kamal told this reporter that the flyover on Stadium Road would be opened for vehicular traffic before the opening of Ideas-2006. “The city government has realised its responsibility and it is not due to pressure from any quarter that we are opening the flyovers,” he said.

The nazim said he hoped that the development projects, including construction of flyovers and underpasses, would definitely leave a positive impression on the foreign delegates visiting the defence exhibition, as they would see a major difference from what they witnessed last year.

The city government had launched six projects – three underpasses on Ibne Sina Road and three flyovers on Hassan Square, Stadium and Karsaz – for making a signal-free corridor from SITE to the airport, which would benefit motorists and commuters in terms of reducing their travel time. However, all of the projects missed their deadline due to various reasons.

Work to construct the National Stadium flyover was started on April 27 with an estimated cost of Rs671 million. The Hassan Square flyover project, launched on May 2, will cost Rs490 million.

Dawn Online Edition Thursday November 02, 2006 (http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/02/local7.htm)

oogabooga

November 2nd, 2006, 03:23 PM

:lol: Mustafa Kamal Kee Ga*nd mein danda hoga to khabees sahi kaam karayga! :banana: :applause:

siamu maharaj

November 2nd, 2006, 06:41 PM

There's simply no way the Hasan Square Flyover can be finished in 3 weeks. At best it'd be completed by mid-Dec. And that's being optimistic. The National Stadium Flyover can easily be opened for traffic within a week.

Red aRRow

November 2nd, 2006, 09:51 PM

:lol: Mustafa Kamal Kee Ga*nd mein danda hoga to khabees sahi kaam karayga! :banana: :applause:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

swerveut

November 3rd, 2006, 06:36 AM

Why the hell do we even want to make them go faster than is really possible? I think flyovers taking at least a year and a half is less than the standard amount of time they take elsewhere in the world. And if Mustafa Kamal has finished 90% of it in a much shorter time, he deserves commendations even if he said he was going to finish it in three months and overshot that deadline.

I think rushing things could only end up in overlooking safety and quality checks just to speed up the finishing work. Not desirable at all.

ahadhayat11

November 3rd, 2006, 08:55 AM

^^
true...and i feel he made such claims cos of the pressure of the public. You need to give them X amount of time..You cant expect it to be built over night. On the other hand, if it was being made for 3 years, then people should go bisuirk.

siamu maharaj

November 3rd, 2006, 07:01 PM

Let me put it in the simplest of terms: Claiming that a flyover will take almost 2 years to complete does NOT win you votes, making big claims does. Having said that, the Time Medico flyover has been completed in a very small span of time. That is commendable, however you cut it. I am not fan of the Nazim's, but if this has not compromised the build quality, then I think he's done an amazing job. Anyone who's being a detractor is just plain stupid.

What I do NOT approve of are unnecessary delays - the kind of which we are seeing at Hino. I don't really think there's any pretense for it. The way it's going, it won't be completed by even 2010. Just yesterday I counted, and I could ONLY count about 10 workers and there was no machinery that I could see. No progress, no work, no nothing. I have to pass that place all the time, and it's a major bitch.

swerveut

November 5th, 2006, 12:45 AM

http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/8391/biqqi1.jpg

BAGH IBN-I-QASIM

The governor along with City Nazim Mustafa Kamal visited Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim and Kothari Parade where he had an appraisal about the ongoing work.

He said that the park being developed on 130 acres along the Clifton coast would be a unique gift not only for the people of Karachi but of the whole country because of its beauty and individuality. He was informed that the park would be completed soon.

The governor also inspected the adjoining Kothari Parade which has been renovated in harmony with its historical originality. With the new constructions keeping in view the old architecture, it was being further expanded on the governor’s directive. Besides, the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi was also being renovated.

Ishratul Ibad said that with the completion of all these projects, it would become Pakistan’s major attractive complex.

The temple within the precinct of Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim had also been renovated.

On the occasion, the governor especially reviewed the lighting arrangements which gave a beautiful look to the park and Kothari Parade in the night.

Dr Ishratul Ibad said that the city government worked round-the-clock and completed the park in a record time.

Appreciating the uniqueness of the lighting arrangements in the park, the governor said that with drizzling lights, this park would be a delightful addition to the city’s humming life.

He said that special arrangements would be made for its maintenance after its completion. In this regard, he said that the nazim was working out a programme to outsource its maintenance, which would be implemented soon after its completion.—APP

Source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/04/local10.htm

UnitedPakistan

November 5th, 2006, 12:56 AM

Jesus!

No wonder KESC cant provide enough electricity!

November 5th, 2006, 01:18 AM

hahaha :lol:

musiddiqui

November 5th, 2006, 01:23 AM

the park looks nice

swerveut

November 5th, 2006, 01:56 AM

It doesnt look like they planted many trees in the park. I wonder why. Anybody in Karachi who can give a firsthand review?

musiddiqui

November 5th, 2006, 02:25 AM

they have planted young trees it will take time for them to grow

pakboy

November 6th, 2006, 12:34 AM

http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/attachment.php?aid=1077

UnitedPakistan

November 6th, 2006, 12:42 AM

VERY OLD PROJECT!

singaporean

November 6th, 2006, 04:27 AM

KARACHI: Ten thousand 80-square-yard plots in the Hawkes Bay Scheme will be ready for balloting this month. Arrangements are also being made for 120-, 240- and 400-square-yard plots. All of these are primarily geared towards low-income families. This was discussed at a meeting held Sunday at the Governor House.

The meeting was called to review the progress on new housing schemes and the revival of those in limbo. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad presided over the meeting. It was mentioned that all plots in the new belts would be handed over in a record period of one year.

Referring to the Lyari Development Authority, Ibad said that besides the Hawks Bay Scheme, the Halkani Town Scheme should also be given priority. He stressed on the provision of all civic facilities, including roads, water and electricity, in the new housing schemes and said that plots should be earmarked for setting up desalination plants.

The meeting was told that issue of provision of plots, which had been put on a back burner for the past 15 years, was now being solved. The possession of 10,000 residential plots in blocks 11, 12, 31 and 32 was being handed over to 3,000 allottees who had paid all their dues. Also, plots in blocks 27, 28 and 30 would also be handed over after occupancy value issue was settled, and necessary records were transferred. Plots in the remaining blocks would be handed over within a year.

Land records were being computerized along the lines of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), and a master plan was being devised to prevent the use of residential plots for other purposes.

Moreover, the balloting for 240- and 400-square-yard plots for overseas Pakistanis was under consideration, and an incremental housing scheme would also be launched soon for low-income families.

Officials said that 67 percent of the work at the Hawkes Bay Road had already been completed. Work on the 7.94-kilometer road, which was kicked off in June 2005 with an estimated cost of Rs193 million, is expected to be completed next month.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\06\story_6-11-2006_pg12_1

November 6th, 2006, 09:02 AM

@ UP, Yes and they havent been selling that is why they've started giving out Rs. 4-5 Lac Mitsubishi Mini Pajeros to people who buy those expensive apartments.

Same goes for Jumeirah Mall on Tariq Road, their also giving out Toyota Vitz's.

Its quite funny they have a Vitz parked infront of their shops which says "Take me home"

:rofl:

vazim

November 6th, 2006, 10:29 AM

swerveut

November 6th, 2006, 11:18 AM

KARACHI: 260 more containers for garbage pledged

KARACHI, Nov 5: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced provision of 260 containers for garbage lifting vehicles to facilitate town administrations.

Addressing a meeting of town nazims at Civic Centre on Saturday night, the nazim said that the city government decided to give four iron containers for every garbage lifting vehicle so that speedy removal of garbage could be ensured.

The meeting was convened to look into ways and means to improve the cleanliness and hygienic conditions of the city besides reviewing the progress of ongoing spray campaign being undertaken to control the spread of dengue fever.

Mustafa Kamal announced that the first shipment of 106 containers would be handed over to nine towns while the rest would be distributed to the remaining towns during the following three weeks. This, he observed, would help expedite the process of lifting garbage from garbage-cabins.

Referring to the ongoing fumigation in the city, undertaken to get rid of the dengue virus, the nazim said it had been decided to continue it on permanent basis.

The campaign would continue to get the city a status of ‘clean and free from mosquito.’ The third round of spray had been started under which nine towns had been covered so far, he said and added that after completion of this, the fourth round would be initiated.

“The spray would continue until the city was completely free from mosquitoes, no matter how much time it may take,” he observed.

He directed the town nazims to play an active role in cleanliness campaign side by side carrying out sprays. If required, additional machinery should be used to get the desired results, he added.

Mustafa Kamal said that more than 8,000 sanitary workers were presently available to the towns and if they were all engaged, the city would be certainly become clean. He directed that each garbage lifting vehicle should dispose of the picked up garbage to the designated landfill sites. “No contractor will get his payment unless he produces a slip received from the landfill site,” he added.

The nazim said that one landfill site had been computerised while work was underway to computerise the other. He ordered that garbage lifting vehicles should be covered properly so that garbage was not spilled over the roads. “All out cooperation will be extended to the towns in this regard,” he assured.

He also gave a briefing regarding development works to be carried out in various union councils at the cost of Rs1.81 billion.

DCO Fazlur Rehman and EDOs also attended the meeting.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/06/local17.htm

I HOPE THIS BRINGS ABOUT A BIT MORE EFFICIENT TRASH REMOVAL IN THE CITY, EVEN THOUGH 260 DOES NOT SEEM LIKE AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF CONTAINERS FOR THE TRASH OF 14 MILLION PEOPLE.

swerveut

November 6th, 2006, 11:20 AM

KARACHI: DHA hands over 19th century barracks for art promotion

KARACHI, Nov 5: A 19th century renovated and refurbished army barracks was handed over to the Foundation for Museum of Modern Art by the Defence Housing Authority at a ceremony held at the Zamzama Park on Sunday.

DHA Administrator Kamran Aziz Qazi, speaking on the occasion, said that the FOMMA-DHA Art Centre would play a pivotal role in the promotion of modern arts and aesthetic activities in the city.

He said the doctrinal spirit underlying all the DHA's development projects was to improve the quality of life of its residents, and added that the contemporary art centre was in line with the same.

He assured FOMMA of all help and assistance by the DHA for the promotion of art and architecture.

He said he hoped that art centre would emerge as a venue for use by the artists community in particular and the art-loving public in general for art exhibitions, seminars, discussions and art research.

Mr Aziz mentioned the upcoming cultural complex in the Racecourse Garden Project and said it would include a building specifically for setting up a 'Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts.'

He praised the director-general of FOMMA, Jalaluddin Ahmed, for his efforts in making the establishment of the art centre possible.

While thanking all those who came to attend the ceremony on a Sunday morning, Nighat Mir, the honorary director of the new art centre, highlighted the plan for making the premises more than just a meeting point for the artists.

The barracks has been tastefully redesigned by Imran Mir. Eminent architect Mukhtar Hussain’s cofee-table book on the houses of Pakistani architects will be launched at the centre on Dec 12.

Earlier, FOMMA Chairman Zulfiqar A. Lakhani presented the welcome address.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/06/local13.htm

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3126/fomadj3.jpg

The 19th century army barracks that were handed over to FOMA by the DHA

source: Jang epaper Nov 06, 2006

swerveut

November 6th, 2006, 11:21 AM

KARACHI: Need stressed to save mangroves

KARACHI, Nov 5: All towns of Karachi should approve resolutions through their councils to save mangroves, as these trees provide oxygen and help keep the air cleaner.

This was stated by Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil while addressing at a meeting regarding “Mission Greener Karachi” in her office.She urged town administrations to conduct a survey regarding number of trees in their respective areas and said that town nazims should point out open spaces in their respective towns where plantation could be carried out.

Nasreen Jalil said that tree cutting should be avoided, and if necessary tree should be shifted to other areas through transplanters instead of cutting them down. She said that plantation of eucalyptus trees should be discouraged and instead alternate trees should be planted.

The meeting was told hat till now 70,000 trees had been planted in the city, while the target of planting 0.5 million trees in the city by the year end would be successfully met.—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/06/local15.htm

singaporean

November 7th, 2006, 04:40 AM

sori sorri

vazim

November 7th, 2006, 11:33 AM

Karachiites taking interest in NADRA payment machines (http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2006/7/nationalnews10.php)

OUR STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI - There has been a 412 percent increase in bill payments using NADRA kiosks in October 2006 as compared to June 2006 which depicts the popularity of the facility among public, Col (retd) Khalid Hamid Shah, the NADRA Public Service Division general manager told reporters on Monday.
Shah said the trend had been ever-increasing since the launch of pilot project last year. “Last few months have shown a significant increase in usage of bill machines (kiosks). In June 2006, 8,864 bills were paid using kiosk while in October 2006, 36,579 transactions were made for bill payments,” Shah added.
He mentioned that presently 165 kiosks counters were operational at all NADRA Swift Centres while 240 kiosks were facilitating consumers round the clock as the figure would touch 400 at the end of 2008.
In Karachi, a majority of kiosks have been placed in the offices of different union councils, 27 at KESC complaints centres, seven in PTCL complaint centres and three in SSGC’s main head office.
Through these kiosks, consumers can submit utility bills like KESC, PTCL, SSGC and also buy scratch cards of cell phones and internet services. The average ratio across Pakistan in October 2006 was 234 transactions per kiosk, with Lahore leading the list with 385 transactions per kiosk while Karachiites made 157 transactions per kiosk in the said period whereas there are 49 such machines operational in Karachi.
Unfolding the detail, he said the system was technology-based, designed as per the ISO-8583 standards, customer-friendly and will enable public to pay their utility bills in style and dignity, which is likely to transform our bill payment culture in time to come.
The concept of bill payment system has been developed, keeping in view the difficulties being faced by the masses. And it is the first time in Pakistan that arrangements have been made to pay utility bills through computerized system in cash.
The kiosk has been designed to have maximum graphics, which would enable its use even by the illiterate population, a touch screen is utilized that is very easy to operate by all sections of the society. The system accepts cash which is predominantly used by the low income group. Since the system is CNIC centric it provides a single platform for citizens enabling use of multiple programs. It also offers a unique opportunity for all the financial and commercial institutions and service sector organizations to improve their workflow and provide greater satisfaction to their clients.
Authority designed these machines and had them manufactured in Pakistan by two local companies, out of the 240 kiosks planned to install in the first phase, 140 are locally made while the remaining 100 were procured from China, and this was done to create competition in quality and price. Special effort is being taken to promote the local industry and to ensure the requisite quality.
So far 160 kiosks have been made operational country wide at NSRCs, Customer Facilitation & Service Centers (CF&SCs) of the utility companies besides public places where consumers of utility services are enjoying the facility of paying their utility bills in hassle free manner.
Nadra has so far installed around 57 machines in Karachi, 27 in Islamabad, 27 in Lahore, 3 in Sukkur, 3 in Quetta, 5 in Peshawar, 17 in Sargodha and 25 in Multan.
In addition to Bill Machines (Kiosks), NADRA has also established Kiosk counters at its NSRCs for collection of utility bills in similar way as Banks and Post Office. These Kiosk counters were made operational in June 2006 and now 145 Kiosk Counters have been working in different cities including 17 in Karachi.
Average transactions per counter across Pakistan is increasing. In the month of June 3,410 bills were paid, in the month of July with the increase of 16% transactions jumped to 3,947.
This increasing trend changed tremendously in the month of August with the increase of 90% and total numbers of transactions were 7,485 similarly with the same pace numbers of bills paid increased to 10,307 with 73% in September and 16,404 with 63 % in October.
Nadra has approached all utility companies to get on board with it enabling public for the optimum utilization of Nadra “Bill Machine” and to-date has signed agreements with all WAPDA Distribution Companies, SSGC, SNGPL, PTCL, KESC, besides INSTAPHONE, DV COM, PAKTEL, UFONE and VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY while an agreement with Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) is in progress.

nation

swerveut

November 10th, 2006, 10:56 AM

KARACHI: Work begins on Saddar parking plaza

By Hasan Mansoor

KARACHI, Nov 9 The city government has resumed work on laying the foundation of one of five parking plazas planned by its transport and communication department (TCD), a senior official told Dawn.

Originally, the work to build a parking plaza behind Saddar Dawakhana, in Lines Area, had been started in May but the monsoon rains caused disruption, also prompting the TCD to extend the deadline for its completion.

“We have resumed work on the laying of foundation of this parking plaza after it was disrupted and delayed by rains for a few months,” Mohammad Athar, EDO Transport and Communication, said. He said the parking plaza was being constructed on an open space of 4,386 square yards and would have two basements and five floors. On the mezzanine and first floors, shops and offices would be built.

Mr Athar said the department had also finalised location and work plans for another parking plaza the same area keeping in view the demand for such facilities in Saddar, one of the busiest commercial areas of the city.

“Merely a single such facility may not resolve the problems vis-à-vis parking in the areas like Saddar, which is why we have planned yet another parking plaza in this town,” he said.

He said once the project was formally approved, its details, including the location, would be made public.

Officials in the city government said the TCD was planning to build parking plazas in various parts of the city to manage and streamline the traffic flow on all major roads and streets. The lack of parking space is one of the major factors leading to traffic congestion and fatal accidents, besides causing waste of fuel, fatigue and pollution.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal lately announced that the city government was planning to build 30 parking plazas across the city to regulate and manage traffic movement.

Officials in TCD said study had also been completed on a similar parking plaza on an open space in Clifton Block 7, near Schon Circle. Spread over an area of 2,932 square yards, the plaza would have a basement and five floors.

The TCD has finalised similar facilities at Boulton Market and Paposh Nagar.

Mr Athar said the TCD had asked administrations of all 18 towns to select some suitable locations for parking plazas in their jurisdictions and submit proposals to the TCD for further evaluation and implementation of feasible plans.

“It is not necessary to construct a parking plaza in every town because some towns may need more than one and some others, like Malir, may not need any,” he said, adding: “It depends on the commercial activities and volume of vehicular traffic in an specific area.”

Sources in different town administrations said the most TMAs were finding it difficult to specify a location for parking facilities because of various reasons.

“Every town has open spaces but the relevant laws do not allow use of such land for a purpose other than they are meant for,” said an insider.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/10/local23.htm

swerveut

November 10th, 2006, 10:57 AM

KARACHI: Yousuf Goth terminus opens on 18th

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/10/images/local04.jpg

KARACHI, Nov 9: The modern inter-city bus terminal at the Yousuf Goth, RCD Highway would be formally inaugurated by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Nov 18, said City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal here on Thursday.

Talking to newsmen during his visit to the bus terminal, he said that the previous city government administration had spent only two per cent funds on this project, which has now been completed by the present administration in one year.

He said some 200 illegal bus terminals were presently operating in the city which needed shifting outside the city, In said in the second phase an inter-city bus terminal would be set up at the Superhighway on BoT basis. He said that oil companies were asked to build it on the BoT basis. He said tenders in this regard had been invited that would be opened on Nov 14.

He said work had been initiated to provide water supply line to the RCD Highway bus terminus, and till completion of that project 15 tankers of water would be provided to it daily. He said the KESC installations at the terminus would be completed by Nov 14.

He said this terminus would be fully computerized and its all activities would be recorded through hidden cameras. He said it was decided in a meeting with transporters that they would shift their bus stands to this terminal by Nov 30. He said a shuttle bus services from the terminal to Lea Market would be run to facilitate passengers.

Meanwhile, the City Nazim, under section 144 CrPC, ordered closure of all illegal terminals of Balochistan-bound buses in the city.

These buses now can use Yusuf Goth Inter-City Bus Terminal on RCD Highway for entry into and exit from thecity limits.

The Nazim's order says the ban is being imposed on movement of buses for Balochistan within the jurisdiction of Karachi after the completion of Yusuf Goth Inter-City Bus Terminal for Balochistan-bound buses.

While entering Karachi, these buses will have to stop at Yusuf Goth and leave for Balochistan from there.

The illegal inter-city bus terminals on city roads are creating problems in traffic flow and the noise is making them a source of nuisance for people living around, it said.

MDA: The Malir Development Authority on Wednesday allowed two cooperative housing societies to allot plots, while it also decided to allot plots to low grade government employees and hire private guards to save more than 20,000 acres of authority's land from encroachments.

This was decided in a meeting of authority with City Nazim Mustafa Kamal in the chair. MDA DG Amirzada Kohati and other members of the MDA attended the meeting.

It decided to allot plots to the low income workers of 18 towns of Karachi in Malir Town and New Malir Housing Scheme through lucky draws.—APP/PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/10/local24.htm

siamu maharaj

November 10th, 2006, 07:29 PM

The Times Medico flyover is now open for traffic. I do assume that it'd be closed again so that His Royal Highness can formally open it some time in the future.

The work on it is not complete yet, but it's good enough to be opened. I'd say about 95% of the work on the actual flyover is complete. about 25% of the work has been completed in its surroundings. I guess that'd take about another month or so. The place shall look nice then.

That's my review!

moved_on

November 10th, 2006, 08:47 PM

swerveut

November 11th, 2006, 04:11 AM

^^ where is the Saddar Dawakhana? is it this building:

http://www.historickarachi.com/images/Eduljee%20Dinshaw%20Dispensary.jpg

singaporean

November 11th, 2006, 07:53 AM

KARACHI: The property market of Karachi is once again attracting a lot of money these days due to stable stock, gold and currency markets. Particularly, a large number of new schemes of plots as well as flats near the Northern Bypass have been announced (and also extensively advertised), which are drawing a number of buyers.

A luxury flat of 180 square yards in a recently announced project, 10 kilometres from Sohrab Goth, is priced at no less than Rs4 million. This gives an idea of how expensive the houses are, even if located in the outskirts of the city.

A residential plot of 80 square yards in a project near the Northern Bypass is available at Rs249,000, although it is as far as 35 kilometres from Sohrab Goth. In the same scheme, a residential plot of 120 square yards costs Rs379,000.

Most of the buyers of plots and flats in these projects are Pakistanis living abroad, who have come to their home country for celebrating Eid. As they have money, they put it in property so that when they return after a few years of extremely hard work they have a spacious home to live in.

Builders say Pakistanis working in Arab countries and the US are the most attractive clients for them because they are able to make timely payments. It is for them that most of the builders announce and advertise their projects around Eid days.

Builders say usually they experience difficulties in obtaining agreed money from buyers residing locally, but those working abroad are their ideal buyers.

Similarly, in a much advertised scheme, which is located far away from the main city, a 200 square yard plot is being offered at a price of Rs695,000 and 400 square yard plot for Rs1,395,000.

The commercial plots in such schemes are even more expensive. A 400 square yard plot is priced at Rs2,995,000. In another scheme, a 100 square yard commercial plot is being offered at Rs700,000 and 200 square yard plot for Rs1,800,000.

The projects being built in the main city are certainly more expensive. On average, flats in Clifton and Defence areas are priced at Rs5,000 per sq ft, in Bahadurabad at Rs6,000 per sq ft and in PECHS Rs6,000 per sq ft. In Gulistan-e-Jauhar, which is an area of lower middle and middle income groups, flats are available at Rs2,500 per sq ft on average.

Besides, the financing facilities being offered by banks and other institutions are also a factor behind this activity in the construction industry, as now people can obtain loans from more sources. In recent years, the monetary authorities of the country have encouraged banks to lend money for housing, giving impetus to this industry.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=31347

swerveut

November 11th, 2006, 09:36 AM

KARACHI: Expansion of Yousuf Goth terminus on cards

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 10: The city government has planned to expand the newly built intercity bus terminus in Baldia Town to accommodate the parking of more buses and constituted a ‘terminal management committee’ to oversee the affairs of all bus terminals.

A modern intercity bus terminus at Yousuf Goth on RCD Highway, with the parking capacity of 125 large intercity buses, is almost complete and would be inaugurated on Nov 18 by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.

However, the intercity transporters expressed their apprehensions about insufficient parking capacity in the newly built intercity bus terminus. In successive meetings with officials of the city government, they claimed that more than 500 intercity buses moved between Karachi and various cities and towns of Balochistan. According to the transporter, the capacity of the bus terminus in question would not be sufficient enough.

Official sources said that the city government accepted the demand and decided to expand the bus terminus in the second phase. For the purpose, the Baldia Town administration removed encroachments and reclaimed its own four acres of land adjacent to the Yousuf Goth terminus spread over ten acres.

However, the city government would ensure that the entry of intercity buses bound for Balochistan would be banned after Nov 30, as the terminus would be made functional soon after its inauguration on Nov 18.

EDO Transport Mohammad Athar when contacted said that work on the expansion plan would soon begin. About the movement of intercity buses, he said that at present, these buses were being operated from three different places – Old Sabzi Mandi, Lea Market, and Mewashah area. He said that the pollution and traffic congestions caused due to the movement of large buses would also be overcome after their movement would be restricted to the newly built terminus.

He said that the newly built bus terminus had a large retiring room for passengers and another for drivers and cleaners, 36 booking offices, two workshops, two waiting areas, four spare parts shops, 16 food shops, a bank, a post office, a police kiosk and a standby generator. A shuttle service from the Yousuf Goth bus terminus to Lea Market would also be introduced to facilitate passengers, he added.

Mr Athar said that the ‘terminal management committee’ was formed to oversee the affairs of all the bus terminals. He said that the first meeting of the committee would be held on Nov 13. The DIG traffic would be ex-officio chairman while its members would be EDO transport, chairman transport committee, SSP traffic zone IV, deputy secretary RTA, secretary DRTA, DO parking and terminal management.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/11/local11.htm

swerveut

November 11th, 2006, 09:37 AM

KARACHI: Work on Stadium flyover completed

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 10: The city government works department has completed the construction work on the Stadium flyover and carpeted all the arteries leading towards the Expo Centre, where the 4th International Defence Exhibition & Seminar (Ideas-2006) is scheduled for Nov 21, city government officials told Dawn on Friday.

“We have completed the work on the Stadium Road flyover and carpeted all the roads and service lanes to provide a smooth and clear route before the high-profile defence exhibition starts,” a senior official in the city government said.

According to him, the flyover would be formally opened in a few days before the start of Ideas-2006. However, officials said there was much work left on the Hassan Square Flyover and it might take at least another month for completion.

Work on the flyover was started with an estimated cost of Rs671 million on April 27. The Hassan Square flyover project, launched on May 2, will cost Rs490 million.

Dawn in an earlier report on Nov 2 quoted the sources that the army wanted the Stadium flyover and adjoining roads to provide a safe route to the participants and high-profile personalities expected to attend the Defence exhibition. Foreign delegations from more than 74 countries would attend the seminar and the defence exhibition, which would be inaugurated by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Keeping in view the security concerns and transportation of the defence equipment, the army authorities had asked the city government to ensure the completion of development work at least a week before the commencement of defence exhibition.

Officials said that carpeting and repairs of Karsaz Road had also been completed.

But people amazed at the pace of work that made the route for the Defence exhibition questioned as to why not the same pace was exercised in completing other components of a hassle-free corridor from Nazimabad to Sharea Faisal.

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

swerveut

November 11th, 2006, 09:40 AM

KARACHI: President to open Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim next month

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3686/baghibnqasimmf4.jpg

KARACHI, Nov 10: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that healthy traditions will take place with the development of recreational places and its major example is the construction of Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim and Beach Park.

He said Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim will be opened for public in mid- December and it will be formally inaugurated by the President.

In order to review the ongoing development works of Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim and Beach Park, the governor visited Clifton on Thursday night.

City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, senior officials of provincial and city governments accompanied him.

The district officer parks briefed the governor about development works of Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim and Beach Park.

Talking to media representatives, Mr Ibad informed that 90 per cent work of Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim has completed while final touches are yet to be given.

He said that development of such a big recreational place would be a major gift to citizens of Pakistan which would promote positive healthy activities.

Mr Ibad said all facilities have been provided in Bagh Ibne Qasim which include a playland, jogging tracks, food stalls etc.

He appealed to the people to share with government efforts in maintaining cleanliness in the park.

He said various programmes are under consideration to be organised in day and night hours and government too has various ideas for utilising this park and work thereon would start in the light of public opinion.

During visit, the governor also talked to people who had gathered there and inquired about their wellbeing.

The governor told newsmen that Rs 280 million have been spent on the Bagh project and the works included tiling, grassing and lighting.

He directed that the Masjid constructed in the park should be brought in harmony with modern architecture and aesthetic and fascinating background of Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim and Kothari Parade. He also reviewed the renovation and restoration work of Kothari Parade.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/11/local5.htm

siamu maharaj

November 11th, 2006, 07:29 PM

The Stadium flyover does seem a little narrow. But I love the kink in the middle. I've only driven it thrice and each time I got to overtake the car on the outside of that turn. Sweet stuff.

What I really hate about the whole thing is the moved mosque. It's an eyesore. Firstly, whose brilliant idea was it to have a mosque right in the middle (the earlier mosque)? And now they moved it to another place, where there's really no business having a mosque! I am surprised they don't erect a mosque right in the middle of some roundabout. Coming back, they really ruined that little green whatchamacallit and now there is this stupid structure. At least someone could've made it a little aesthetically pleasing.

vazim

November 11th, 2006, 07:53 PM

post some pic Umais.

November 12th, 2006, 02:21 PM

My Gift to you all before I leave for Toronto :)

(I appologize I couldnt get pictures of Creek City and Dolmen City, but If I happen to pass through there I will definately get them)

Atrium Mall
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00970.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00971.jpg

Still incomplete
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC00972.jpg

The Hasan Square Flyover
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01240.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01241.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01242.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01287.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01288.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01289.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01290.jpg

The Lyari Expressway
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01243.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01244.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01245.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01246.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01247.jpg

swerveut

November 12th, 2006, 07:06 PM

Great updates Fahad Khan!

Atrium mall seems to be at the same stage of completion as it was when I visited in summer of 2005.

And what the heck is that tower by the FTC Flyover?? Does nobody have any idea till now?? Its already starting to put on the 12th floor! Another non-transparent construction project in the city. If somebody lives in Karachi and passes by it often, just stop sometime and ask a construction worker on site about what it really is. Will solve the mystery once and for all.

The detailing on the Hassan Square flyover seems nice. Good to know they at least tried to keep it aesthetically pleasing unlike some of the flyovers that have been built in the city (most notably, the Drigh Station flyover on SF).

The Lyari expwy also seems to be showing active construction taking place. Good sign, good sign. I hope they open at least a section of it by the end of the year.

Thanks again for those great updates FahadKhan!

November 12th, 2006, 07:49 PM

I dont think Atrium Mall would be completed by this years end.

All I can see are the outside shops that have opened, I'm pretty sure the inside is still incomplete, even the outside has a few tiles missing.

And I dont think they have opened their Parking aswell, my car got tow'ed out as I had parked infront of KFC.

The owner of a Leather shop I was at told me that the people at KFC have asked the Traffic Police to lift cars parked infront of KFC as their customers have trouble finding a spot then :o

Quite shocking, but nonetheless I had to walk all the way to the Artillery Maidan Police Station to get my car back.

UnitedPakistan

November 13th, 2006, 01:52 AM

November 13th, 2006, 06:43 AM

If you are going to give us updates like this everytime your car gets towed you should park it illegally more often.:lol:

I got another shock of my life when I saw this guy, not more then 18 years old running his own parking business.

He parks cars for people there and charges Rs. 20 for it.

:o

swerveut

November 13th, 2006, 06:56 AM

wow! in Karachi I think people should be more worried about him taking off with the car instead of worrying about paying him 20 rupees to park it!

mehdi_cs

November 13th, 2006, 07:07 AM

I got another shock of my life when I saw this guy, not more then 18 years old running his own parking business.

He parks cars for people there and charges Rs. 20 for it.

:o

giving you one more shock... he pays sufficient amount out of it to the Police.

moazzam

November 13th, 2006, 08:43 PM

wow! in Karachi I think people should be more worried about him taking off with the car instead of worrying about paying him 20 rupees to park it!

I dont know how people trust these parking people, they dont have any permenent residence in karachi, they live on roads... all are migrants, its very easy for them to runaway with car...without any tarce.

Its hard to find parking there... i my self hand over my car's key to these people. some times even with my mobile inside. :nuts:

atleast i am comfotable that traffic police will not lift my car and no one will break the window and theft my car's audio system....:lol:

ahadhayat11

November 13th, 2006, 11:31 PM

I dont know how people trust these parking people, they dont have any permenent residence in karachi, they live on roads... all are migrants, its very easy for them to runaway with car...without any tarce.

Its hard to find parking there... i my self hand over my car's key to these people. some times even with my mobile inside. :nuts:

atleast i am comfotable that traffic police will not lift my car and no one will break the window and theft my car's audio system....:lol:

Your comments are very contradictory....1st u diss these guys who no one shud trust...and how ppl end up trusting THESE ppl who live on roads..then u say, that u urself give da car keys to them...now dont u think u have dissed em for no odd reason cos u utilize thr service aswell.

swerveut

November 14th, 2006, 08:05 AM

@ Moazzam: I guess a lesson of practice what you preach is in order here.

swerveut

November 14th, 2006, 08:07 AM

Mideast plot to be turned into a hotel franchise?

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Clifton Cantonment Board (CCB) discussed on Saturday a proposed building plan with Sofitel, an international chain of hotels and resorts, which may construct a hotel on the plot of the former Mid East Center located in Block 9, Clifton, according to a press release.

A meeting of the Building Technical Committee of the CCB was presided over by CCB President Brig. Kamran Aziz Qazi and attended by CCB Chief Executive Officer Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmed Mir and representatives of the Defence Housing Authority, the city district government Karachi, the Karachi Building Control Authority and other service departments.

According to the consultant, the building would consist of 25 floors including four basements. Brig. Qazi said that the building would be equipped with all facilities such as a car park, water supply, electricity, gas and sewerage. Special attention would be given to the privacy and security of the guests. The best methods of fire fighting and earthquake-resistant technology would be used.

The next meeting will take place in 15 days in which the final decision allowing the construction of the hotel would be made.

In May last year, the news of the sale of the plot elicited concern from some quarters. Mideast hospital and its all-night pharmacy catered to the populations of Clifton and Defence and its absence was acutely felt. Since then no other healthcare facility of the same scope has taken its place. It has also become difficult to find a late night pharmacy open in the area.

In May 2005, the Sindh High Court issued notices in a petition challenging the construction of a shopping plaza on the site of Mideast Hospital. The petitioner, a lawyer, said an amenity plot could not be put to commercial use.

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\12\story_12-11-2006_pg12_1

TahaQ

November 14th, 2006, 01:24 PM

ADB doubles funding for Karachi uplift plan, Hyderabad, Thatta included

KARACHI (updated on: November 14, 2006, 14:09 PST): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised funding of Karachi Mega City Development Project from $400 million to $800 million, besides supporting expansion of Karachi master plan to include Hyderabad, Thatta and other nearby towns in it.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal in his recent tour to Manila had successful talks with ADB officials to raise funding for the project.

The ADB has also set up a local support unit in Karachi for study of uplift project with cost of $13million.

On Monday, an ADB delegation, comprised of director Dr. Jim Arthur, transport specialist James A Leather and urban economist Shane Rosenthal called on the City Nazim and discussed uplift projects of Karachi.

It was observed that after completion of master plan it would greatly help to plan and expedite uplift projects.

The delegation said the bank was interested in projects of transport, solid waste management, Katchi Abadies, training of employees, master plan and water board.

The delegates also held separate meetings with DCO Karachi and EDOs.

Meanwhile, the CDGK had set up a district town co-ordination committee for study of various sectors of Karachi Mega City Project. All town Nazims and town municipal officers would be members of this committee.

On the occasion, the City Nazim disclosed that after the talks with ADB officials, it was decided to expand master plan of Karachi and make it a regional plan by adding Thatta, Hyderabad and other nearby towns.

He said the studies would be conducted on problems of these towns, as well as, facilities available there, so that their residents could be provided with job opportunities near their homes.

He said that $ 13 million study of local support group of Karachi Mega City Project include Rs 10 million project of developing parks and forests to reduce pollution, Rs 35 million for transport issues, Rs 40 million for converting Karachi master plan into a regional one, Rs 30 million for geographic information system of Karachi, and Rs 54 million for Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) projects.

For study of Karachi urban transport model Rs 24 million were tagged while Rs 5 million were earmarked for linking Orangi with other areas of the city, Rs 55 million for controlling transport-based pollution, Rs 14 million for Malir water study, Rs 15 million for study of construction elevated expressway from Guru Mander to Northern Bypass and Rs 2 million for study of linking Superhighway with the National Highway.

For study of industrial estates Rs 15 million were earmarked, while Rs 2 million were tagged for revamping of industry in Orangi town, Rs 45 million for pilot project to uplift Katchi Abadies, Rs 20 million for comprehensive study of solid waste management and Rs 32 million for study on viral diseases and healthcare issues.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2006

oogabooga

November 14th, 2006, 02:52 PM

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/14/SlideShow/pic08.jpg
KARACHI - November 13: Vehicles pass on the newly opened National Stadium flyover on Monday.— Dawn Online Edition November 14, 2006

oogabooga

November 14th, 2006, 02:55 PM

UnitedPakistan

November 14th, 2006, 02:55 PM

Karachi looks like it needs some greenery!

We should send Lahore's horniculture department to Karachi.

oogabooga

November 14th, 2006, 02:56 PM

Karachi looks like it needs some greenery!

We should send Lahore's horniculture department to Karachi.

"horniculture"? :lol: No thanx I think Karachi is plenty horny! :lol: :lol:

UnitedPakistan

November 14th, 2006, 03:09 PM

"horniculture"? :lol: No thanx I think Karachi is plenty horny! :lol: :lol:
Thank you for making a joke of my typo. And yes I meant horticulture.:ohno:

That jail for you is 25% complete. You will be like Coswasjee who was put in jail by Bhutto.:lol:

oogabooga

November 14th, 2006, 03:13 PM

Thank you for making a joke of my typo. And yes I meant horticulture.:ohno:

That jail for you is 25% complete. You will be like Coswasjee who was put in jail by Bhutto.:lol:

lol :lol: shut the hell up!

UnitedPakistan

November 14th, 2006, 03:38 PM

lol :lol: shut the hell up!
Or you will go to jail just like Sheikh Rashid went to jail for 7 years for saying that the children of benazir resemble Faisal Saleh hayat and Jehangir Badr, hinting that they may be the result of affairs between the former PM and her alleged lovers.

oogabooga

November 14th, 2006, 05:16 PM

Or you will go to jail just like Sheikh Rashid went to jail for 7 years for saying that the children of benazir resemble Faisal Saleh hayat and Jehangir Badr, hinting that they may be the result of affairs between the former PM and her alleged lovers.

Your kidding right? When did he say that?

UnitedPakistan

November 14th, 2006, 05:30 PM

Your kidding right? When did he say that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Rashid_Ahmed

Koon Sheikh Rashid?

Mahlay ka aank ka taara
sab ka raj thulara
rookhi sukhi kahonga, lal haveli banaonga!:lol:

siamu maharaj

November 14th, 2006, 06:37 PM

OoogaBooga:

Time Medico cannot be seen in this picture. The mosque I talked about earlier can be seen on the right.

As for the greenery comment, it is right, but this particular brown patch that you can see is NOT due to lack of greenery. This is where the road used to be before the flyover. Since it was dup up, it's all brown there. I am guessing they'd put grass there. For anyone who can't tell the orientation of the picture, to the left is Civic Center. I think now you guys can tell how the photo is oriented. I am really surprised as to where this picture was taken from, though. There isn't any high vantage point there! I'll try have another look tomorrow.

November 14th, 2006, 09:15 PM

That picture sure looks like it was taken from a very high building!

Red aRRow

November 14th, 2006, 10:09 PM

Dawn's photographers have this amazing ability to take pictures which nobody (or is it just me?) can comprehend! I cant make out where time medicos is, where the stadium is and where Agha Khan Hospital? Can someone please help?

Spot on bro! I was like WTF is this picture...I mean from what I understand it is from somewhere on the corner of the Aga Khan University Sports Center boundary wall...but the photographer seems to be floating in mid air and I don't remember any high building in that place...Dunno but now i am totally lost...WTF is the angle of this picture?? help.

oogabooga

November 15th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Spot on bro! I was like WTF is this picture...I mean from what I understand it is from somewhere on the corner of the Aga Khan University Sports Center boundary wall...but the photographer seems to be floating in mid air and I don't remember any high building in that place...Dunno but now i am totally lost...WTF is the angle of this picture?? help.

It was probably taken from a high building that is farther away from the site, using an optical zoom lens.

mehdi_cs

November 15th, 2006, 05:46 AM

It was probably taken from a high building that is farther away from the site, using an optical zoom lens.

Its a rare photograph... either taken from a falling man from an aeroplane (the last photo of his life:badnews: )... or... some master photographer that can take perfect photos by throwing camera in the air:master: ... or some invisible skyscraper:runaway: (if distance is increased, the height will also increase)
:lol: :lol:

swerveut

November 15th, 2006, 08:29 AM

^^ dont mind, but you're not on drugs, right?

Red aRRow

November 15th, 2006, 10:14 AM

Its a rare photograph... either taken from a falling man from an aeroplane (the last photo of his life:badnews: )... or... some master photographer that can take perfect photos by throwing camera in the air:master: ... or some invisible skyscraper:runaway: (if distance is increased, the height will also increase)
:lol: :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

siamu maharaj

November 15th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Ok, I couldn't spot any buildings in the vicinity. Only the top of Aga Khan Hospital's Gym (or whatever that extension is). But that's not too high, considering how far it is.

hykhan3

November 15th, 2006, 10:34 PM

swerveut

November 16th, 2006, 03:16 AM

KARACHI: Work on two flyovers to be completed next month

KARACHI, Nov 14: The works and services department of the city government has failed to complete the construction of flyovers at Hasan Square and Karsaz intersections within the stipulated time, which was November 2006.

Work on both flyovers was likely to be completed by the end of December, a city government official said on Tuesday.

However, the official said that delay in completion of these projects would not create any problem in connection with the forthcoming mega defence show, ‘Ideas 2006’ that is scheduled for Nov 21 to 24 at Expo Centre.

The carpeting of main carriage way from Karsaz to Hasan Square had started and it would be completed before the exhibition, he said adding that the adjoining roads of the under construction Karsaz flyover had been also carpeted.

During the exhibition, he said, work on Hasan Square flyover would remain suspended at Expo Centre side.

The city government official said that a contract for construction of Karsaz flyover was awarded to a contractor 18 months back but the project was delayed inordinately due to various reasons including negligence of works and services department and the contractor. Besides, the KWSB had also delayed to hand over a portion of land to work and service department at Karsaz for the project, he added.

About two months ago, the city nazim cancelled the tender of the contractor taking notice of undue delay in the construction work. On his directives, the works and services department recalled tenders for the project and the contract was awarded to another company.

The new firm was asked to complete the project by Nov 15, but only 60 per cent work had been completed so far, the official said adding that the project is expected to be completed by the end of December.

The deadline for completion of the Hasan Square flyover too was set as Nov 15, but the contractor could not meet the deadline. He said that the shifting of underground utility lines had caused delay.—Online

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/15/local16.htm

swerveut

November 16th, 2006, 03:19 AM

KARACHI: Gorakh Hill project

KARACHI, Nov 14: The Gorakh Hill Development Authority would be set up to expedite the project.

This was decided in a meeting, presided over by Sindh Culture and Tourism Minister Rauf Siddiqui, which was held to review the progress of the project.

The meeting decided that a tentative board of governors for the project would be formed. Security measures, construction of Rest Hoses at Dadu Crossing Road, completion of roads, master plan, infrastructure for tourism and promulgation of by laws for the authority were also discussed in the meeting.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/15/local19.htm

swerveut

November 16th, 2006, 03:27 AM

KARACHI: Coordination body formed: US$800m mega project

KARACHI, Nov 14: The city district government of Karachi has set up a district-town coordination committee as part of the Mega City Development Project.

This was stated at a high-level meeting, chaired by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal. The meeting, among others, was attended by the town nazims and municipal officers.

The coordination committee will have all the town nazims and TMOs as its members. In addition to the launch of Rs4 billion worth projects, the committee will give suggestions for uniform development process in all areas of the city.

Mustafa Kamal said that the priorities set for the mega city project would have its enforcement in the entire city and development projects would be launched in such a manner that Karachi would soon join the ranks of world’s modern and developed cities.

The nazim pointed out that it was a US$400 million project earlier but the ADB raised the amount to US$800 million after he met the bank authorities and they were briefed on the Master Plan. He said that the amount was expected to increase further. He said that it had been decided to widen its scope and make it a regional plan.

Mustafa Kamal said that the ADB’s Local Support Unit of Karachi Mega City Project had started study at a cost of US$13 million.

He said that the study had been divided into three parts: development of skeleton of various institutions, imparting maximum training to human resource and development of Karachi’s planning, management, finance, urban infrastructure and services.

Initially, the study is being done in respect of development of forests, trees, plants, parks and greenery in Karachi at a cost of Rs10 million.

Besides, Rs34 million will be spent on study for mass transit network and public transport, particularly emission-free comfortable transport, Rs40 million on study for developing Karachi Master Plan to regional level, Rs30 million for study on Geographical Information System of Karachi and Rs54 million on study of KWSB projects.

It will include Rs10 million on study for uniform distribution of water, Rs9 million on IT platform for repair and maintenance of system, Rs15 million on upgrading water supply and sewerage infrastructure in the entire city’s jurisdiction and Rs200 million on planning for water recycling for use in industrial and construction fields.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/15/local3.htm

SO MUCH MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT ON STUDIES OF MASS TRANSIT THOUGH, WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED WITH THEM??

swerveut

November 16th, 2006, 07:24 AM

The Hassan Sq Flyover: from DAWN epaper Nov 16th 2006

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3355/hsqflovrme2.jpg

swerveut

November 16th, 2006, 07:26 AM

The Bagh Ibn Qasim (being photographed a whole lot lately... wonder why Askari park was never this photographed)... Source: Jang epaper Nov 16th 2006
(I m glad this sandbox has been turned into a green oasis however)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6765/biq2qd2.jpg

swerveut

November 16th, 2006, 07:29 AM

Not a picture of progress, but striking contrast between the glory of the old days and the dilapidation of the previous 50 years, in the city of 14 million. Had to put this amazing picture in the thread.

Source: Jang epaper Nov 15 or 16th 2006

Caption: A rubbish dump behind the old City Courts and the old Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) building

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/2684/contrastoi8.jpg

November 16th, 2006, 12:17 PM

The front side of this unknown building;

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01336.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/Fahadzkhan/DSC01337.jpg

I guess its an apartment complex, maybe belonging to the Navy Housing?

hykhan3

November 17th, 2006, 08:32 AM

dude that place is the worst location to make a skyscraper wat were they thinking
thanks for the pics fahad and swerveut

swerveut

November 17th, 2006, 08:45 AM

:lol: Gorakh Hill station is located some 400 kms away from Karachi :P and it is not that much proportional to KARACHI PROGRESS NEWS & UPDATES :P :D hehehhehehe

my bad. I confusd it with that other hill parky thing they are developing somewhere in Karachi

The front side of this unknown building;

I guess its an apartment complex, maybe belonging to the Navy Housing?

why doesnt somebody just stop by there and ask the construction workers what the hell it really is! will end the confusion once and for all.

singaporean

November 17th, 2006, 10:13 AM

KARACHI: FIFA’s Goal Project officer Mohsin Gillani inspected the land here in Trance Lyari area on Thursday where the Football House is to be constructed with the world governing body’s monetary assistance.

Mohsin also visited the five acres of land under consideration for the project in Gulshan-e-Iqbal in front of Safari Park.

Vice-President Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Ghulam Abbas, who was accompanying Mohsin Gillani during his visit, told ‘The News’ that he (Mohsin) will now submit his report in FIFA, adding that FIFA will give its formal approval before December 15.

It is important to mention here that this would be the second project of its kind after the first one, which has been completed in Lahore a few months ago.

FIFA has agreed to release PFF $460,000 for the Football House in Karachi while the total estimated cost of the project is $600,000.

The house will have playing facilities, fitness gym, lecture room, library, hostel, and other amenities for the training of coaches, players, and sports medicines technicians.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=32190

swerveut

November 17th, 2006, 07:29 PM

KARACHI: Shuttle facility for inter-city travelers

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7940/shuttlerouteoj7.jpg

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 16: The city government has finalised preparations to introduce shuttle bus services between the newly built Yusuf Goth bus terminus and two separate locations in the city.

A modern intercity bus terminal at Yusuf Goth on RCD Highway, with a parking capacity of 125 large intercity buses, is almost complete and will be inaugurated on November 18 by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.

At present, Balochistan-bound buses operate from three different places – Old Sabzi Mandi, Lea Market, and Mewashah. The illegal termini shifting starts from November 18, and the process will completed by November 30, transport department officials said on Thursday. A ban on the movement of Balochistan-bound intercity buses will be imposed from December 1.

As seat booking offices will not be removed from their present locations, the city government has decided to introduce shuttle bus service from at least two places – Lea Market and Old Sabzi Mandi in Gulshan-i-Iqbal.

The contract of the shuttle bus service to be operated from Old Sabzi Mandi was awarded to Al-Aziz Transport Company, and the other contract awarded to a member transport organization of Karachi Transport Ittehad, an allied body of intra city transporters.

Officials said the fare from Old Sabzi Mandi was fixed at Rs15 per person and from Lea Market to Yusuf Goth bus terminal at Rs10 per person.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/17/local9.htm

singaporean

November 18th, 2006, 08:35 AM

KARACHI, Nov 17: The approval of 24 investment projects by the Sindh chief minister is due shortly but their implementation is expected to be delayed owing to the scarcity of land in the metropolitan area and bureaucratic hurdles in provision of basic utilities.

A representative of Metro, a leading chain of stores of Germany, told Dawn on Friday that the group had applied to set up four supermarkets in Karachi but the Sindh Board of Revenue allotted 11.2 acres for only one store to be set up at University Road. “Our project requires a vast parking area for buyers who would visit the supermarket,” Aftab Ahmed said.

He said keeping in view security concerns the services of a security agency had been hired to provide protection not only to the visiting Metro officials but also to the site and the equipment.

The 24 investment projects, which after the CM’s nod would be referred to a scrutiny committee for detailed appraisal, include two Metro super stores, Turkish school, auto part plant, a cancer institute, a bath soap manufacturing factory (12 acres), a 50-mw wind power project (1,000 acres), a textile industrial estate, two bio-diesel plants (5,000 acres each), land measuring 500 acres each by the Export Promotion Bureau for setting up a carpet city, a women entrepreneurs city, a leather city, a furniture city and a warehousing complex.

The leading French chain of stores — Carrefour — has also submitted a proposal to the Sindh government for opening sales outlets which indicate that world’s leading chains are coming to Karachi with huge investments.

Earlier 34 investment projects, both foreign and domestic were approved by the chief minister, are in various stages of implementation. Of these land for 15 projects has already been allotted by the Sindh Revenue Board.

The projects include tourist hotel, steel making plant, pre-fabricated houses plant, synthetic carpet, textile chemicals plant, edible oil and poultry feed, warehousing, package industry, waste plastic recycling plant, industrial estate on Super Highway, modern hatchery etc.

Muslim Abbasi, head of the CM Investment Cell, giving details of some significant investment proposals said two overseas Pakistanis had applied for acquiring barren land to cultivate seeds for producing bio-diesel while a United States company had shown interest in setting up a coal-fired power plant with an investment of $2.5 billion.

He said that there was no dearth of investment proposals, but there was a need to improve the country’s image tarnished by some ugly incidents in the past. There were a number of instances where foreign companies made preliminary queries for establishing business in the province but did not submit proposals.

Under the new policy land for projects is provided at one fourth of the market price but the allotment is deemed to be cancelled if the said project is not started in two years.

The land is forbidden for sale. The land for commercial ventures is provided at half of the market price in the area.

The investment cell is working on a number of projects, which has great potential in attracting investment.

These include modernisation of fishing industry, value addition in agro based products, mechanised extraction of vast coal and granite reserves, construction of low cost housing and setting up SME clusters.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/18/ebr12.htm

singaporean

November 18th, 2006, 08:41 AM

KARACHI: A French delegation from a company known for a chain of smart budget hotels around the world, met the advisor to the chief minister, Noman Saigal, at his office Friday, and expressed an interest in setting up hotels in the province.

Led by Francois Barret, the delegation said that the company wished to set up two-star hotels equipped with modern IT facilities in different cities and towns in Sindh. The hotels would offer rooms at the rate of Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 per day. The facilities at the proposed hotels would be at par with those elsewhere in the world.

The company would also set up an academy to train people in all facets of hotel management, including cooking and baking.

The company currently runs over 100 smart budget hotels in Europe and other places. The delegation said that the interest to invest in Sindh arose in view of the existing potential for tourism.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\18\story_18-11-2006_pg12_4

swerveut

November 18th, 2006, 10:31 AM

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4640/icbtqg1.jpg

source: DAWN epaper Nov 16 2006

swerveut

November 18th, 2006, 07:26 PM

How many buses will it accomodate?

From earlier:

A modern intercity bus terminal at Yusuf Goth on RCD Highway, with a parking capacity of 125 large intercity buses, is almost complete and will be inaugurated on November 18 by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.

siamu maharaj

November 18th, 2006, 09:40 PM

Ahhh.... let's see how many of these plans materialize! 1/3rd, I'd say.

Talking of which, I have seen some work going on at Hino Interchange. Let's just say, it makes me a very pleased man. Now if some bright guy would connect it to Kh-e-Ittehad, it'd be perfect. I'm not holding my breath, though. Another thing that I'd love is making Kh-e-Ittehad traffic-light free. It won't cost much (hardly 10~20 million MAX), but it'd be a godsend. Especially for assholes like me who choose to stop at a red light even if the road in empty.

swerveut

November 19th, 2006, 06:00 AM

but why is that bad? Arnt you meant to stop at a red light?

TahaQ

November 19th, 2006, 04:41 PM

Karachi to have 'Internet Media City'

KARACHI (November 08 2006): Government of Sindh, in order to promote information technology and media in the metropolis, is developing an 'Internet Media City' in Karachi. Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister for Information Technology Noman Saigal said this, while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.

The planned Internet Media City would spread over an area of 200-acre land and would be developed on lines similar to the Dubai Media City. He said Sindh government was working on e-policing project, in which more than 400 police stations of Karachi would be computerised in first phase. Through this project, recovery of stolen cars and other vehicles could be made easier, he added.

Noman Saigal said that this project would be connected with FM radio, which will not only guide citizens to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic but also provide them with healthy entertainment.

He further said the government was computerising records and cases of all courts. He said that the government was also considering computerising the working of Civil Hospital Karachi.

About the call centres, he said that English was compulsory for getting job in call centres. "We are initiating call centre projects in all the 18 towns of Karachi to impart training for the call centers".

Noman Saigal said that the government was introducing special software in various IT centres for special people. Regarding ongoing IT projects in interior Sindh, he said that the government would not ignore the villages of Sindh. He said it was starting a project named "e-Government in Sukkur" at a cost of Rs 30 million.

He further said that one of the biggest projects of the Sindh government is to work on video conferencing concept. He said this system had already been working in Bangladesh and will help our government departments immensely in expediting different processes.

About the establishment of data centres, he said a large number of data record centres would be established, so that every type of record could be seen on computers.

To stop cyber crimes, he said that there were gaps between the orders and execution. "To control obscene web-sites in cyber cafes, Sindh government will work with FIA," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2006

swerveut

November 19th, 2006, 09:21 PM

KARACHI: 20 institutions to get 1,947 acres in Education City

By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque

KARACHI, Nov 18: The government is likely to allot about 1,947 acres to 20 medical and educational organisations in the Education City project within a month to initiate development work in the project, which was launched some seven years ago.

The project was initiated by then Sindh governor, Lieutenant-General (retired) Moinuddin Haider, in 1999. However, the formal notification to declare the area of Deh Chuhar as Education City was issued in March 2006 after the Sindh cabinet approved this project.

The project was included in the city’s master plan and 1,360 acres has already been given to eight leading educational and health institutions some three years ago whereas 20 more applications of different organisations were under process.

The eight allottees are: Aga Khan University (500 acres), SZABIST (300 acres), Sindh Madressah Board Quiad-i-Azam Public School (200 acres), Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) (200 acres), the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) (100 acres), Newport Institute of Communications and Economics (20 acres), Shaukat Khanum Cancer Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (20 acres) and Ziauddin Medical University (20 acres).

The three organisations — the Aga Khan University, SSUET and the ZMU — submitted separate applications for acquiring 500 acres, 200 acres and 25 acres of additional land in the city.

Other applicants are Internet Media City (200 acres), Judicial Academy (150 acres), National University (150 acres), Memon University (100 acres), Memon Medical (100 acres), Shah Wilayat (100 acres), Foundation Public School (70 acres), Institute of Business Administration (IBA-KU) (50 acres), S.M. Law College (50 acres), PICIC (50 acres); Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Mosvi (50 acres); Aga Khan Academy (50 acres); Iqra University (50 acres); Adam Education Society (25 acres); BIZTEK (20 acres), Allah Bux Magsi Society (12 acres) and Fatima Welfare (five acres).

Sources disclosed that the Sindh government would soon allot 1,947 land in the city to the 20 organisations as per their requirements after approval from the competent authority.

“The process would be completed in a month time,” said a city government official.

Recently, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad held a meeting with all stakeholders to review the problems and hurdles in the development of the Education City project where officials of the Master Plan department gave him a detailed briefing.

Sources said the quick disposal of land to the applicants was a part of implementation on the governor’s directives, who wanted that the development work should begin within two months.

The sources said City Nazim Mustafa Kamal had also directed all concerned departments to speed up their efforts to make the project a reality.

The sources said that the city government would begin development work in the Education City early next year.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/19/local2.htm

swerveut

November 19th, 2006, 09:34 PM

KARACHI: Experts want city under single authority

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 18: Speakers at a workshop on Saturday stressed that there should be one civic agency to manage and control the entire city and the laws passed by such an agency should be applicable to the whole territory and entire population of the city equally and without any discrimination.

They were expressing their views at the workshop on “Karachi 2025: a city of dreams – visioning for a better tomorrow”, organised jointly by an NGO, the Shehri – citizens for a better environment, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

A social activist and town planner, Arif Hassan, said that a popularly elected government working in a transparent manner, and a legal system ensuring justice and implementation of laws equally on every citizen were the basic requirements for improving conditions in the city. The country should move from the present representative democracy to the participatory democracy. Referring to the major problem traffic mess, he said if wholesale markets were moved out of the city, oil terminals and pipelines redesigned, and mass transit system introduced, the bulk of the heavy vehicles would not enter the city to create a mess.

Arif Bilgrami of the Institute of Architects Pakistan offered help to the city administration in preparing a master plan to facilitate future development work in a planned manner. He observed that some of the mega projects like Karachi Elevated Expressway, DHA Beachfront project, DHA Creek City, KPT Port Tower, DHA Crescent City, NLC Enshaa Towers, PQA Bundal Island, AWT Complex, IT Tower etc., had been proposed at the instance of government agencies to avail exemption from building control and construction bylaws.

Roland D’Souza of Shehri referred to the WWF report, Living Planet 2006, and said that people around the world were consuming more resources than the earth could regenerate and if the consumption patterns were not changed immediately, the world might face a disaster soon. He said that the UAE had overtaken USA to become the highest per capita waste generating country in the world.

Senator Rukhsana Zuberi of PPP said that the people’s taxes were not spent wisely. Citing an example, she said that governments always found funds to buy luxury cars in an unlimited number but were always fall short of funds when it came to procuring ambulances.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/19/local8.htm

mehdi_cs

November 20th, 2006, 10:01 AM

@ The Education City.....

I wish/pray/dream that Karachi has a laboratory like CERN, having a circumference of 27 kilometres :p.....

i wish that too. but we should consider that our capabilities in this field is not less than most of the advanced countries. i dont know whether you know about this fact or not, the magnets that are meant to bend and accelerate the high energy bosons in this mentioned particle accelerator is manufactured in texila. Pakistan has close ties with CERN and we do process the CERN data directly coming from this accelerator in various grid nodes in Pakistan including the KINPOE at KANUPP. i myself had been in one of the meetings with CERN at KANUPP during the development of a node here.

Note: this is nothing secret that i am sharing with you people.

swerveut

November 20th, 2006, 08:51 PM

^^ Mehdi_cs, if you dont mind my asking, whats your profession? Did you ever introduce yourself in the Gup Shup section?

mehdi_cs

November 21st, 2006, 07:20 PM

^^ Mehdi_cs, if you dont mind my asking, whats your profession? Did you ever introduce yourself in the Gup Shup section?

thanks for asking sir:) .
although, mentioning about it would actually change your thoughts about me that has just been created due to my last post about the meeting at KANUPP with CERN delegate. it is from a few years back when i was involved with the making of KIN-CERN grid node here at KINPOE.
today my work is totally different. if you ever noticed, my postings sometimes points to a particular website (http://beta.pixsense.com). my profession includes waiting for PixSense, a company based on my technical design, to generate some big revenue around the globe. basically, it is lot more than just a photo sharing website.

mehdi_cs

November 21st, 2006, 07:31 PM

forgot, i never introduced myself in Gupshup section, possibly, because i didnt know that i had to introduce myself there.:ohno:

swerveut

November 21st, 2006, 08:40 PM

hey, no changing of any opinions! So were you involved with some programming things at KINPOE? btw not too late to introduce yourself in the Gup Shup thread. Also is that pix-sense website your creation? thats pretty good! Wish you best of luck with it. One suggestion: maybe make the graphics and color scheme a little more sleek and streamlined and it would look a lot more modern.

UnitedPakistan

November 22nd, 2006, 04:41 AM

Hey, take it easy folks.

Welcome Mehdi,

It is optional to introduce yourself by the way.

swerveut

November 22nd, 2006, 09:34 AM

KARACHI: Foreign firm to manage solid waste

By Hasan Mansoor

KARACHI, Nov 21: A foreign company with expertise in managing and recycling of garbage will soon take control of Karachi’s solid waste management as a last ditch attempt to save the city from becoming a huge garbage dump.

The city district government Karachi (CDGK) is in consultation with the three foreign companies to make a deal with one of them to take full charge of a job which could never be done for decades despite several innovative attempts had been made, insiders told Dawn.

Sources in the CDGK said the issue pertaining to ineffective disposal of the solid waste in Karachi was again highlighted after the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever that has killed over 40 people and affected more than 4,000 in the city. The matter had been extensively discussed at a high-level meeting headed by Federal Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan a few weeks ago in which the officials agreed that thousands of tons of garbage accumulating in the city was the main culprit of dengue among other viral, infectious and vector-borne diseases.

The CDGK recently introduced public-private partnership at the town level in which over a dozen local companies dealing with solid waste management had been engaged. The problem, however, remained unresolved as it was found difficult to dispose 9,000 tons of garbage daily. At present not more than 30 per cent of the garbage is sent to landfills while the remaining goes unattended or is burnt.

Insiders said the CDGK’s experiment to dispose of garbage by various companies — each of them entrusted to operate exclusively in its town without any coordination with the other — failed to bear fruit as some reports were highlighted in the media showing the dumping of garbage from one town in another. However, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal does not agree that the outsourcing of solid waste management to local firms failed. The nazim said that the CDGK was engaged in consultations with the three international companies and one of which would be selected.

In the present setup, the local operators lift garbage from certain garbage collection points and dump them at the designated landfill site. But, in future the single operator would start it from the very doorstep of a citizen to its disposal to the landfill.

“The international operator will do it all. Their job will begin at the doorsteps of our citizens, then they will transport it to the landfill. Besides its segregation and recycling, its use in generating power will be carried out in different but sequential stages,” said the nazim. The deal will include the shifting of the municipal sanitary staff and resources to the private operator. “We are not going to privatize the solid waste management but it will remain a private-public partnership in which we’ll transfer all our resources and manpower to the private operator,” he said.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/22/local3.htm

singaporean

November 22nd, 2006, 11:29 AM

KARACHI: Makro Cash and Carry, a Netherlands-based wholesaler of food and non-food products in Asia and South America, launched an outlet in Karachi Tuesday.

The outlet, named Makro-Habib, is located on Manghopir Road and is a joint venture of SHV, the Netherlands and the House of Habib, Pakistan.

Managing director of Makro-Habib Pakistan, Marek Minkiewicz said that the organisation plans to invest $200 million and it would employ and train over 4,000 Pakistanis by the end of 2008.

The supermarket uses systems of grading and modernising the supply chain of farm products and was bringing in a new supply system for retail traders. The supermarket will stock items in bulk and would focus on small- and medium-sized retailers, hotels, restaurants, caterers and various other businesses.

It will offer fresh food, farm produce, fresh meat, daily food necessities, home and personal care products as well as other articles required by offices and business institutions.

This would be the 173rd branch and their second venture in Pakistan would start operating a few weeks later in Lahore on Ravi Road and the third store would be set up in Karachi on Shahrah-e-Faisal by early next year.

By 2007, seven stores would be functional in different parts of the country and by 2009, 12 such centers are planned. The MD said that the idea of launching the outlets in Pakistan was conceived during President Musharraf’s visit to Holland during which he invited SHV to Pakistan.

The long-term vision was the establishment of 30 stores in Pakistan, of which 12 would be established in the short term. The supermarket has a parking space for up to 400 vehicles. The outlet has already registered more than 60,000 retailers. “The benefit of registering is that they would no longer need to travel to congested wholesale markets in Jodia Bazaar, Saddar and Empress Market, which is very time consuming.”

The new outlet is spread over an area of 120,000 sq feet, where 250 employees would serve customers in different shifts from 6 am to 10 pm, throughout the week. A total of five stores are planned for Karachi.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\22\story_22-11-2006_pg12_9

Metropole

November 22nd, 2006, 05:27 PM

Location of Karachi "Education city".

http://www.kauser.net/images/karachieducationcity.jpg

pakboy

November 22nd, 2006, 06:57 PM

this was a websiet posted by swerveut quite a long time ago, they have had some updates for food street i think.
http://www.grandleisure.com/

and does anyone know what has happened to the projects like expo city, food street, WTC and that 5 star hotel.

UnitedPakistan

November 22nd, 2006, 08:37 PM

I thought the food street was established parallel to Jinnah bridge on the old bridge.

ahadhayat11

November 23rd, 2006, 08:48 PM

you talkin abt the one next to native jetty? cos i saw work being done underneath da over head bridge next to KPT.and it looks gud when i left in sept...

UnitedPakistan

November 23rd, 2006, 08:53 PM

you talkin abt the one next to native jetty? cos i saw work being done underneath da over head bridge next to KPT.and it looks gud when i left in sept...
I am not sure but I remember that name from a rant from one of the Karachi members.:lol: Something about people calling it nanga jatti or something.:lol:

swerveut

November 23rd, 2006, 09:02 PM

ive heard people call it nayti dayti and it always irrtates the crap out of me. Similarly for Cape Monze when people start calling it cape mounze or worse, cape mount. Lots of originial place names in Karachi are getting distorted.

Sufi Pistol

November 24th, 2006, 02:53 AM

:D......Swerve ....I think u should write an article in Dawn about this.....This will surely bring awareness. Even Newspapers/Televisions call this bridge NETTI JETTI(rhyming it :D)....Evennn I correctified myself when you pointed it out.

Well If you could provide me the layout/master plan of Sohrab Goth Interchange, I shall be thankful....If you require, I can post a picture showing the current progress.

vazim

November 24th, 2006, 12:28 PM

^^ pictures are always welcome..

Sufi Pistol

November 24th, 2006, 04:08 PM

Oh sorry I meant to say an edited Google Earth Image. In Karachi it isnt possible to take the photos of an interchange like Sohrab Goth from ALL ANGLES with a camera phone :D Two reasons:Traffic congestion and Snatching....However I will try to take pictures as soos as possible.
well Google Image goes here:
The areas highlighted in blue are those which has been dug up for underpasses.
The red areas are flyovers or their pillers.
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/8420/sohrabgothhcopyzt9.jpg

oogabooga

November 25th, 2006, 01:39 AM

KARACHI: The city district government of Karachi has decided to start improving the signal-free corridor from SITE to Shahra-e-Faisal in a bid to transform it into a model road in accordance with international standards.

This was decided at a meeting presided over by City Nazim Mustafa Kamal Friday. DCO Karachi Fazalur Rehman, EDO Works and Services Amanullah Chachar, EDO Transport Muhammad Ather and others attended.

The beautification and revamping work would be started immediately, said a city government spokesman. The city nazim wants it to be inaugurated in January.

Seven pedestrians bridges and 20 bus stops would be built on this corridor. The beautification and development work has been divided into five phases, which are Shahrah-e-Faisal to Hasan Square, Hasan Square to Ghareebabad, Ghareebabad to Liaqatabad, Liaqatabad to Nazimabad, and Nazimabad to SITE.

Kamal said that the model corridor would be a new year's gift for the citizens of Karachi. The corridor would be better than those in developed cities of the world, he claimed. The city nazim directed the relevant officials to carry out development work in three shifts so that it could be completed by the end of the current year.

At the bus stops, shades of fiberglass would be used and benches would be installed. The CDGK would also lay curbstones, plant trees, construct durable service roads and carry out other colorful beautification work.

It was decided at the meeting that loops would be built on both sides of the Hasan Square flyover. To give a standardized look to the corridor, the same street lights and curbstones would be used all throughout.

The relevant department would take strict measures to prevent the establishment of any encroachment near the corridor. It was also decided that a drainage system would be constructed on both sides of the corridor.

Gulshan nazim urges public participation: Nazim Gulshan Town Wasey Jalil has appealed to social, political and religious organisations, students and citizens, to participate in sanitation work in their areas, APP reported Friday.

He told them to avoid spitting on walls and footpaths so that cleanliness is maintained in Gulshan and it is transformed into a model town.

He said that various bridges and walls are being painted but it is regrettable that spitting and wall chalkings have marred their beauty. He said that people should use specified places to dump garbage.

Dailytimes Online Edition Friday November 24, 2006. (http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\25\story_25-11-2006_pg12_1)

Sufi Pistol

November 25th, 2006, 03:44 AM

KARACHI: ADB doubles aid for mega-city project

“Some 10,000 visa call centres will be established under one roof of the US$ 200-IT Tower and 2020 city master plan would bring Karachi among the planned cities of the world,” he said.

Again....10,000 CALL CENTRES under ONE roof :| :| :| :ohno:
Our people surely love typos...

adzees

November 25th, 2006, 03:55 AM

Signal-free corridor divided into five sections
KARACHI: The city government has decided to divide signal-free-corridor from SITE to Sharea Faisal into five sections and to initiate the work simultaneously.

The signal-free corridor will include seven overhead pedestrian bridges and 20 bus stops.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by City Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal, here on Friday.

DCO Karachi, Fazlur Rehman, EDO Works and Services Amanullah Chachar, Project Director (Construction) Tameer-e-Karachi Project, Rauf Akhtar Farooqi, EDO Transport, Muhammad Athar, and representatives of concerned firms attended the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Syed Mustafa Kamal said that CDGK would present a beautiful gift to Karachiites on the eve of new-year, claiming that the standard of the signal-free corridor would be better as compared to the developed countries.

He said that this would be a model corridor, adding that other roads of the metropolis would be constructed as per the standard of this corridor.

The city Nazim directed for ensuring round-the-clock work into three shifts so that it could be completed in stipulated time however urged for maintaining quality and beauty of the work.

In order to facilitate pedestrians, it was decided that 7 overhead pedestrian bridges and 20 bus stops along with sheds of fiberglass and seats would be constructed on the signal-free corridor and construction work on them would soon be kicked off.

The corridor would be constructed in such a way that no encroachers would encroach the roadside.

Mustafa Kamal directed the authorities concerned to work round-the-clock, so that artery gives a beautiful look during the inauguration of the ongoing uplift work at the corridor.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=33181

swerveut

November 25th, 2006, 06:16 AM

KARACHI: ADB doubles aid for mega-city project

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 23: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday told a Swiss mission that improving law and order situation and government’s swift actions to make Karachi a modern and developed megalopolis of the world have helped the city attract businessmen and investors from across the globe.

“At present, a direct investment of US dollars 900 million has been pumped in the city’s economy while Asian Development Bank has doubled its aid for the Mega City Development Project, making it a US dollars 800 million scheme,” Mr Kamal said this during his meeting with the Switzerland’s ambassador

Markus Peter at City Nazim’s office in KWSB.

Swiss consul-general Martin Bienz and Deputy Head of Mission Konstantin Obolensky were also present in the meeting.

The City Nazim said: “We have already launched a study of the Mega City Development Project with US$ 13 million and one will witness huge positive changes in terms of trade activities.”

The Swiss ambassador discussed in length about the huge potential of investment in various sectors in the city for Swiss investors and businesspeople and said the companies in his country were particularly taking interest in investing in solid waste management, transportation, infrastructural improvement and pharmaceutical business.

He said a high-level business delegation from Switzerland would visit Karachi in February to explore investment opportunities in various sectors.

He lauded the city’s municipal leadership and said it had made great contributions in introducing positive changes to the city.

He referred to Bagh Ibne Qasim, which, according to him, had left him wondering at the pace it had been constructed and developed.

The city Nazim said the present municipal leadership was clear about the goals and means, thereof, to develop the city in the least possible time.

“We are completing a bridge in six months, which used to be completed in 11 years in the past.

“We have clear vision about the strategy as to how Karachi should be brought at par with other mega cities of the world in terms of infrastructural development to ensure all basic amenities to foreign investors and tradesmen,” he said.

He said the hectic efforts made by the current leadership were solving people’s problems and making the lifestyle of its citizens convenient.

“Our efforts are bearing fruit which is evident from the fact that we are at present consulting various foreign investors about investments as huge as billions of dollars and no day goes by without a visit of Karachi by foreign trade delegations,” he said.

Syed Mustafa Kamal said the city government was so keen for foreign investment that it was taking steps that would reduce the travel time between SITE area to airport as less as 13 minutes, which was about 100 minutes earlier.

He said projects like one of largest IT Towers and elevated expressway would soon be launched.

“Some 10,000 visa call centres will be established under one roof of the US$ 200-IT Tower and 2020 city master plan would bring Karachi among the planned cities of the world,” he said.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/24/local1.htm

swerveut

November 25th, 2006, 06:22 AM

siamu maharaj

November 25th, 2006, 08:00 PM

Another favorite of mine is Mec-low (McLoed Road).

Coming back, I thought the traffic-light free Corridor (god, I hate this word) was from SITE to the airport, not Sh-e-Faisal. I know, there are about 4 traffic-lights from Karsaz to the Airport (5 if coming the other way). But I was always under the impression that something was gonna be done about them. I feel being short-changed.

Having talked about this, now a little unrelated issue. This flyover was made for Shah Faisal Colony at Sh-e-Faisal (it's the first flyover your encounter when coming from the airport. It was to remove the traffic-light. Now, when the work was going on, the installed another traffic light a little before the station. Now that makes sense. But now that the flyover is complete, that traffic-light is there, AND the traffic-light at the flyover is ALSO STILL there, for the fucking pedestrians! Now whose brilliant idea was this? Who is the wiseguy behind this? I'd really like to meet that Einstein. And before anyone cries foul, the traffic-light below the flyover isn't always on, but it is at times.

Sufi Pistol

November 26th, 2006, 02:01 AM

Hey guys....I asked about the Sohrab Goth Interchange... :( no one is telling me....

swerveut

November 26th, 2006, 07:05 AM

i dont have layout or pictures, maybe somebody in Karachi can go photograph it.

siamu maharaj

November 26th, 2006, 08:39 AM

The last time I went there, work was almost halted. Not much progress has been made lately. Same with Hino, but now I've started seeing some progress there.

And yeah, they are carpetting the road from Sohrab Goth to the next roundabout (on way to NIPA).

Sufi Pistol

November 26th, 2006, 09:47 PM

Hmmm....Right now work on Sohrab Goth is going on 24/7......The main hurdle is the SUI GAS' main line....I can see the engineers working day and night with modern machinery. The work on flyover is majorly completed....but I cant visualize the ways.....Means Which ways' traffic would flyover and underpass accomodate, infact I am unable to understand the layout of the Intersection by current progress neither there is any Board containing information about it.

The road you are talking about is being constructed since the NAimatullaah's era.....I have been suffering the alternations of traffic there for a long time. Now its enough.....Our TOWNS' ADMINISTRATIONS must learn a lesson from the Korangi Administration....They have modernised the SLUMS area....anyone go to the raod connecting the Korangi Zoo to the Industrial Area andThe Road which extends to the Coast Guards School in Korangi.....Excellent work done....and yes the road of Darus Salaam Society is SEEING WORTHY....

However, I am editing the Google Image of the Sohrab Goth Underpass' path I've found today.

REDs are Flyovers and BLUE is the underpass....A bit clearing...but no idea yet...
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/4985/sohrabgothhcopylb7.jpg

P.S:Remember the Flyover in length is hardly of 3 lanes.....so its really difficult to guess how would it accomodate us....I will Inshaa Allaah survey the whole area soon...and post pictures..

adzees

November 27th, 2006, 02:54 AM

u mean width is 3 lanes .. right ?

adzees

November 27th, 2006, 03:24 AM

125 CNG buses likely next month
KARACHI: A private bus firm, Holland Bus Company, said it would bring 125 CNG buses in the city by the end of December 2006.

In this regard a delegation of the firm led by its General Manager Hons called on City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office the other day.

He said that his company, which was a consortium of 11 bus companies, could met the target of introducing 8,000 wide-bodied buses in Karachi in two years. He said that 125 buses would be imported from Holland. However, a bus making plant could be set up in Karachi.

Hons said that 24 persons were being trained in Holland to run these 125 buses. He said that these trained persons would train more staff in Karachi.

The city Nazim assured the delegation of all-out cooperation. He said that there were ample opportunities for transporters to run modern buses in Karachi. He regretted that this city still had no reliable public transport system.

Kamal said that brining modern buses in Karachi would not only provide lucrative profit to transport companies, but they would also cater to needs of Karachi commuters and create more job opportunities.

Separately, the city Nazim on Saturday night attended a “gala variety programme”, the last programme of IDEAS-2006, at the Peoples Sports Stadium, Lyari. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan was the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, the city Nazim congratulated Karachiites for making the IDEAS-2006 a big success. He hoped that this mega programme would help in promoting soft image of the country, especially Karachi.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=33425

swerveut

November 27th, 2006, 06:07 AM

@ Islamicrennaissance: The layout seems like that of a clover leaf interchange. I think that is what they are building there.

Btw, there is a KORANGI ZOO??? really??

Sufi Pistol

November 27th, 2006, 02:58 PM

Hahahah RUINED Zoo....The Korangi Zoo seems like Sir John Marshall Discovered it from Mohen Jo Daro :d....Well It is located on the Main Road of Korangi No. 4, before the place where there are three cinemas....And most probably it has completed its life....so have the animals...

@Adzees
Yes TOTAL 3 lanes....this shows that the long flyover is just being made to accomodate single track either directly going to or...coming from Gulshan. And I forgot one thing...the Underpass, too, consists of single track(of unknown lanes).

moazzam

November 28th, 2006, 12:10 AM

Hino flyover uptades.....

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/19-11-06_1424.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/19-11-06_1423.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/19-11-06_1325.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/19-11-06_1324.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/19-11-06_1323.jpg

moazzam

November 28th, 2006, 12:21 AM

Stadium flyover at night.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/16-11-06_0036.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/16-11-06_0035-1.jpg

Gharib abad underpass

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/27-11-06_1153.jpg

UnitedPakistan

November 28th, 2006, 12:22 AM

It seems the city of Karachi does not have the ability to think longterm when building such transportation infastructure.

oogabooga

November 28th, 2006, 12:58 AM

Excellent updates Moazzam! :applause: :banana: !

I guess asking you to climb on top of a billboard and take some shots would be overkill? :lol:

swerveut

November 28th, 2006, 03:04 AM

great updates Moazzam, thanks!

Red aRRow

November 28th, 2006, 12:28 PM

I guess asking you to climb on top of a billboard and take some shots would be overkill? :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Leave it to the 'circus freak' journalists. :lol:

vazim

November 28th, 2006, 12:52 PM

finally some pictures. nice job moazzam. :applause:

siamu maharaj

November 28th, 2006, 07:53 PM

UP: Care to elaborate on your comment?

Sufi Pistol

November 29th, 2006, 03:57 PM

Orders of Machinery for organizing the Solid waste on scientific ways have been placed:says The Mayor.
http://karachicity.gov.pk/admin/News/Images/sault-d.gif

Sorry guys, I cant bear to translate this lengthy news :|

Sufi Pistol

November 29th, 2006, 04:02 PM

What do you think guys...we remain bent on abusing the mayor...but his statements prove him a very broad-minded and talented man....(no matter these statments are political ones :p)

adzees

November 29th, 2006, 08:37 PM

41 trucks meant for sanitation ready

By our correspondent

KARACHI: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said on Tuesday that the city government has decided to procure heavy machinery worth Rs600 million to improve the sanitation conditions in the city. After the procurement of the machinery, the solid waste management would improve in the metropolis.

He expressed these views after inspecting the heavy trucks for the city government, which have been manufactured by Hino Pak Factory.

These 41 trucks would be handed over to the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) at the end of December, he announced.

Kamal said that the city has been producing approximately 10,000-tons of garbage daily as none of the previous governments devised any plan and paid attention to resolve the problem.

?The present city government, besides developing other projects, is also paying much attention to improve the solid waste management. Besides, heavy machinery including trucks, dumper grabber, cranes and other machinery, including the staff of solid waste management, would also be increased?, he said.

The city Nazim said that the CDGK has taken many steps for maintaining cleanliness and disposing of garbage at the landfill sites and added that one of the major landfill sites has been computerised and the second will also be computerised soon.

?This is a machine era and without suitable machinery the sanitation condition could not be improved. The city government has decided to provide machinery on the requirements of different departments to improve the overall sanitary condition in the metropolis,? he announced.

He said that new trucks would help in disposing sewerage waste at dumping sites without scattering it on roadsides.

Mustafa Kamal pointed out that vehicles are also being equipped with two huge tankers in which the seepage water would be stored and added that after the procurement of these new trucks, no sewerage waste would be dumped on roads.

?In this regard, the federal government has allocated Rs5 billion and it is the task for the private sector to come forward in the transport sector and utilise the funds?, he added.

Sufi Pistol

November 30th, 2006, 12:30 AM

Hey... How couldn't I find this.....?

adzees

November 30th, 2006, 04:56 AM

i dont know .. you probably didnt search for it.. it was on thenews newspaper :)

Red aRRow

November 30th, 2006, 11:18 AM

Video of newly opened Karsaz flyover!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcynq7jH3-A

Sufi Pistol

November 30th, 2006, 01:44 PM

First master plan ready for approval, initiative for vision 2030: City Nazim (30-11-2006)

http://karachicity.gov.pk/admin/News/Images/master%20larg.jpg

Nov 29: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that the first master plan of the metropolis has been prepared and will be presented before the City Council next moth for its formal approval.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a seminar titled: `Towards A Vision 2030: direction of Industrial Development in Pakistan?, the azim said that after getting approval from the City Council the master plan would become a legal document and all stakeholders of the city would be bound to adopt it. The seminar was organised by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at a local hotel on Wednesday.

Mr Kamal said that unfortunately for the last many decades there was no master plan for the city, which was being run without any proper planning. He told the audience that the city government had given the task of preparation of the master plan to a private firm, which completed it within a year.

He said that from the president of Pakistan to a UC nazim and all stakeholders were consulted while preparing the master plan and their suggestions were also incorporated in it. The city observed that after the implementation of the master plan the city would enter into a new era of development and every development activity would be done in accordance with the plan.

He said poor infrastructure was a big hindrance to foreign investment in the metropolis before his government. He said that the present city government started development activities on a fast-track to improve the city?s infrastructure to international standards.

He said that during the one-year period, foreign businessmen had invested $900 million in different development, recreational and welfare projects and this huge investment would definitely results in creating ample opportunities of employment.

The nazim said the city government had made Karachi a business hub of not only Pakistan but of the entire region. The economic activities and industrial development was on the rise in the city, he said..

The seminar was presided over by Institute of Business Administration Director Prof Danishmand while Japanese Counsel-General Nakano Shouichi, Senior Economist of the International Development Centre of Japan Prof Hisaaki Mitsui and Assistant Director of the Institute of Developing Economics of Japan Prof Hisaya Oda and others also spoke on the occasion.

moazzam

November 30th, 2006, 05:08 PM

Liyari expressway.... sohrab goth interchange.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/29-11-06_1338.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/29-11-06_1337.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/29-11-06_1336.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/29-11-06_1335.jpg

swerveut

November 30th, 2006, 07:59 PM

@ Moazzam: Thanks for those updates! Lyari expwy seems to be making progress, I wonder if they can actually finally finish it by 2007 or if the project is going to end in another year.

Btw: excellent video by shwalf of the Time Medicos Flyover! Seems like it would solve SO many traffic headaches at that intersection!
I hope they start work on its underpass soon as well so it can be completed soon.

hykhan3

November 30th, 2006, 09:55 PM

adzees

November 30th, 2006, 11:49 PM

i am just wondering .. are they gonna make lanes on the karsaaz flyover. And is good to see they have some highway sorta signs on flyover :) ..

Sufi Pistol

December 1st, 2006, 01:31 AM

Believe me guys....If there were a NATGEO Pakistan, then they must have featured the Lyari Expressway in their MEGASTRUCTURES.....wont they?

I pass by almost all intersections of Lyari Expressway often and every time I astonish to see such a GIGA project....going to accomplish in Karachi. btw It will look excellent at night if they install sodium lights poles....like those at Rashid Minhas Road....

swerveut

December 1st, 2006, 04:18 AM

^^ IslamicRenaissance, you do know that a lot of countries the world over have thousands of expressways right?
Nothing new there. Just that this development was slow to come to our part of the world.

Sufi Pistol

December 1st, 2006, 03:33 PM

:)

Right...but my statement was like that of a child, who is getting what his mates got ages before him...

siamu maharaj

December 2nd, 2006, 04:37 PM

adzees: What lanes?

BTW, I have to admire this flyover. Although the finishing leaves a little to desire, but the road in awesome. It's so perfectly banked, I never expected that on a **** flyover. A treat to drive and overtake on. I love it!

adzees

December 2nd, 2006, 07:01 PM

umais: i meant i dont see any painted white strips on the road...are they gonna do it later ..

TahaQ

December 3rd, 2006, 04:54 AM

Foreign bank to monitor pace of city projects:banana:

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is going to set up its office in Karachi by the end of this month in order to accelerate work on the study of US$800 million Karachi Mega City Development Project (KMCDP) and the implementation of development projects. A solid waste management expert, representing the ADB, has also arrived in the city, a CDGK spokesman said Saturday.

A project officer is also scheduled to arrive in the city on December 5 to monitor the implementation of the KMCDP. ADB Country Director in Pakistan Peter. L Fedon met City Nazim Mustafa Kamal at his office Saturday. They discussed the plans for the project’s implementation. KMCDP Coordinator Roshan Ali Shaikh was also present.

The city nazim said that the city has finally entered a developing phase after a year of efforts. The CDGK has completed various mega projects worth billions of rupees in a few months, which he said has helped provide basic civic facilities to its citizens.

Kamal vowed that the work on KMCDP would be carried out with the same motivation. He welcomed the appointment of an ADB official in Karachi to monitor the progress of the project. However, he said that dependence on consultants for development projects was not a good trend. The presence of ADB representatives would help ensure fast work and their experience would also be beneficial for the CDGK.

He said that as Karachi is the seventh biggest city of the world US$800 million is not enough to solve its problems but the CDGK has already started various projects with its own financial resources. The city nazim hoped that the master plan would help ADB officials conduct their studies for the KMDCP. He asked the ADB to ensure the implementation of the KMCDP is started in March-April 2007

Daily Times - All Rights Reserved

Sufi Pistol

December 4th, 2006, 02:53 PM

Hahaha...Winter Rains now...

moazzam

December 4th, 2006, 07:55 PM

stadium flyover at night

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/03-12-06_0143.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/01-12-06_2354.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/03-12-06_0142.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/28-11-06_1942-2.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/01-12-06_2353.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/01-12-06_2352.jpg

Sufi Pistol

December 4th, 2006, 08:36 PM

Good updates always take the lead over bad quality pictures.

Well moazzam a suggestion here: Please Dont try to take zoomed pictures with a VGA camera phone, because this cuts the size of photo. Thanks anyway.

adzees

December 5th, 2006, 08:23 AM

KARACHI: Revival of Circular Railway approved

KARACHI, Dec 4: A high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Monday approved in principle the revival of Karachi Circular Railway.

According to estimates, the project will cost around one billion dollars, which includes Japanese loan of $872 million. The feasibility of the project will be presented by the JETRO and work will start after its approval by the ECNEC and the Planning Commission.

The meeting was attended by Federal Railway Minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Railway Chairman, Karachi Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Principal Secretary Mohammed Saleem Khan, D.S. Railway Mir Mohammed Khaskheli and other officials.

The governor urged the authorities to finalise all phases expeditiously and said implementation of the project must start by the beginning of new year and there should be no further delay now.

He said steps should be taken to complete the project in three years. He said it was also the desire of President Pervez Musharraf to get this project completed at the earliest.

He pointed out that with the revival of Karachi Circular Railway, the urban transport system would witness a revolutionary change and people would have better transport facilities.

The governor said the expertise, experience and resource available with Pakistan Railway would prove a great assistance for completion of the project which would then be transferred to the Karachi Urban Transport Corporation.

It was informed that the constitution of Karachi Urban Transport Corporation had been finalised and its stake holders included the provincial and city governments and Pakistan Railway. The circular railway system would have 22 underpasses and overheads to ensure unhindered service.

The governor called for laying standard railway tracks and having light train for fast movement. He said the circular railway would be linked with the city government’s mass corridor schemes and all bus terminals. He said transport sector in Karachi was a big market for investors having an estimated 12 per cent profit rate which was a good rate.

Dr Ishratul Ibad also had an appraisal from Railway Minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed about the operation of Thar Express.

Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed informed him that all efforts were being made while foreign ministry was also striving for the operation of Thar Express.

At Khokhrapar, he said, Pakistan Railway was constructing a modern railway station and it would be the first project of its kind to be completed under the Pakistan Railway.

About the establishment of the National Mass Transit Authority, Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad said Prime Minister had given approval in principle while all required stages had been fulfilled and now only Prime Minister’s signature were awaited where after it would start functioning.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/12/05/local3.htm

adzees

December 5th, 2006, 08:25 AM

KARACHI: Uplift to attract investments, says city nazim

KARACHI, Dec 4: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that Karachi offers great investment opportunities with the city government assuring all required facilities to investors.

“Unprecedented development and revamping is in full swing across the city and work on various projects,” he told the member of the Houston City Council, M. J. Khan, of Pakistan origin who called on him recently.

Mr Kamal said the city government had made tremendous efforts in availing a huge sum of $900 million which would soon be invested in the city.

He pointed out that in a record one-year period, the city government launched too many development projects to modernise the city. In this context, he made mention of the projects for revamping water and sewerage network, construction of flyovers and underpasses and a large number of roads. The uplift process will continue and more projects will be undertaken by the city government, he added.

He also stated that the city’s first ever master plan had been prepared and would formally be adopted as legal document this month.

“We have launched these development projects with a clear vision as all these are part of the master plan,” he said, adding that after approval of the master plan from the City Council, all matters would be taken up in an organised way and this would help give the city a modern look.

“Agreements have been inked with various multinational companies for a total investment of $900 million and the city government intends to utilise the funds in collaboration with private sector to construct an elevated expressway, a 47-storey IT Tower and other such projects in the city.” He noted that FPCCI and other associations were also participating in uplift work.

Mr Kamal informed the guest that the groundbreaking ceremony for the IT Tower, besides several other projects, would be held next month. He also expressed his desire to make Karachi a sister city of Houston, and said that the Houston City Council would be invited to the Platinum Jubilee of Karachi’s City Council to promote trade and cultural links. The city government would also welcome Pakistani business community abroad to make investments in Karachi, he added.

Mr M. J. Khan told Mr Kamal that Houston had many Karachi-based businessmen, willing to see the two cities become sister cities. He said an agreement to this effect would be signed very soon after finalising arrangements. He believed that Pakistani community would invest in various sectors in Karachi, especially medical sector. Mr Khan also invited Mr Kamal to visit Houston.—PPI
http://www.dawn.com/2006/12/05/local12.htm