Karachi Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the mega infrastructure rehabilitation project from Hub River Road to Tori Bangash Road in Ittehad Town.
The project is part of development schemes worth over Rs850 million and aims to promote urban development, improve travel facilities, resolve long-standing drainage issues, and bring informal settlements into the mainstream of sustainable development. On this occasion, Member of the Provincial Assembly Liaquat Askani, Parliamentary Leader in the KMC City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, UC Chairman Arif Tanoli, elected representatives, KMC officers, and a large number of local residents were present.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wahab said that the rehabilitation of Hub River Road to Tori Bangash Road in Ittehad Town is an extremely important project, as it connects two districts and serves as a major artery for Orangi, Keamari, and surrounding areas. He stated that the project will be completed at a cost of Rs800 million and that Hub River Road will be converted into a dual carriageway to provide a permanent solution to long-standing traffic problems.
The mayor said that the construction of a 12,500-foot-long dual carriageway is an important step toward improving traffic flow. The project includes 8,000 feet of a modern drainage system, while more than 21,000 feet of RCC pipeline will be laid to improve storm-water drainage. These measures will help eliminate rainwater accumulation and flooding in the area.
He added that streetlights would be installed along Hub River Road, while paver blocks were being laid in the internal streets of Tori Bangash. “Paver blocks in informal settlements are a symbol of sustainable development, and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is also providing modern facilities in katchi abadis to improve the quality of life of residents.”
The mayor said that the rehabilitation of streets in Tori Bangash would provide better facilities to the public, and overall improvement of roads and streets would raise the standard of living. He emphasized that modern and sustainable infrastructure was essential for urban development and that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation would continue public welfare projects without discrimination.
He further said that before road construction, the drainage system and other utilities would be improved to avoid future inconvenience to citizens. He instructed the contractor to complete the project within the stipulated time and announced that the work should be completed within the next six months.
He stated that there was no shortage of resources, as all funds were available in the budget, and taxpayers’ money was being spent solely on public facilities. He added that he was following the mission and vision of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and was committed to serving every town, district, and union council of Karachi without discrimination.
The mayor said that problems are not solved through press conferences and mere criticism; practical steps are required, and the Pakistan Peoples Party is addressing issues in a better manner. Speaking about water issues, he said that efforts have been made to resolve water shortages by laying a new canal from Hub Dam, and problems related to water pumping will also be resolved soon. For this purpose, modern machinery has been imported from Japan, and work is underway to acquire additional water.
Referring to the K-IV project, he said that work is in progress on its various phases and that K-IV water will be supplied to neighborhoods across Karachi. He described K-IV as the largest water project in the history of Karachi.
Responding to media questions, Wahab said that statements change when people move from opposition to government. He recalled that the then opposition leader had visited Karachi in 2021 and held a press conference in which Shahbaz Sharif stated that Karachi is such a large city that runs the entire country, and that the federal government should also assist in running the city in addition to the funds provided by the provincial and local governments. The mayor urged Shahbaz Sharif to fulfill the statement made in 2021, noting that he was the opposition leader at that time.
He said it was not possible for Karachi alone to solve all its problems while the federal government did nothing for the city. He urged the Prime Minister to think about Karachi along with Lahore and to honor his promises, stating that one cannot say one thing in opposition and another while in government. He recalled that Karachi once had a circular railway in 1970, which was shut down, and that parks and playgrounds were encroached upon. He emphasized that one should only make promises that can be fulfilled.
The mayor said the federal government must also play its role for Karachi and that the politics of bias and criticism has never benefited the city. He stressed that unity is required to resolve Karachi’s issues and reaffirmed that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will continue to work with the same spirit for public service, development, and the provision of civic facilities.
Later, Wahab also laid the foundation stone of the rehabilitation project of Sparco Road in District Keamari at a cost of approximately Rs56 million. On this occasion, he said that the Sparco Road rehabilitation project is an important milestone toward urban development and that modern and sustainable infrastructure is essential for city growth. The project includes 48,000 square feet of paver blocks and 65,000 square feet of asphalt wearing course.
He said that this project would improve traffic flow and significantly enhance civic facilities. He added that a modern sewerage system and quality road were being constructed on Sparco Road to provide safe and better travel facilities to the public. He said that the primary objective of development projects was to make citizens’ lives easier and to modernize the city’s infrastructure.
The mayor stated that KMC was carrying out development works uniformly across all districts and that public welfare projects would continue without discrimination. He reiterated that taxpayers’ money was being spent on public facilities and that no compromise will be made on the quality of development projects. He said that practical measures will continue to make Karachi a modern, organized, and sustainable city.
Wahab also reviewed the under-construction football stadium in Baldia Town and the football ground located in Abdul Rehman Goth, UC-2. On this occasion, he said that the football stadium would become a center of healthy activities for youth and that the promotion of sports can guide young people in a positive direction.
He said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation was taking practical steps to promote sports culture in the city and that Karachi’s youth are being provided with sports facilities of international standards. He added that the construction of football stadiums would create opportunities for local talent to emerge and provide young people with a platform to showcase their abilities. He emphasized that the rehabilitation and construction of sports grounds in every town is among KMC’s priorities, as engaging youth in sports is essential for social improvement.