In a significant step toward enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening municipal service delivery, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Thursday inducted a new fleet of heavy vehicles into the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
The initiative aims to improve mobility and effectiveness in carrying out essential municipal functions while promoting the independent utilization of KMC’s own resources. The procurement was financed through proceeds generated from the auction of obsolete vehicles, with an allocation of Rs110 million approved for the purchase of heavy-duty vehicles, including mount trucks, acquired from FAW Automobile Industries.
A vehicle distribution ceremony was held at the KMC Head Office, where Mr Wahab formally handed over the vehicles to the Engineering Department, Anti-Encroachment Department, Parks Department, and Veterinary Department. On this occasion, Parliamentary Leader in the KMC City Council Karamullah Waqasi, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Jaman Darwan, KMC officers, and other staff members were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, the Karachi mayor said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation was incurring expenditures for the improvement of civic amenities from its own resources and budget. He stated that KMC’s revenue had been increased through a positive strategy and that available resources were being utilized in an effective manner. He said: “KMC now has sufficient resources to carry out development works simultaneously, from neighborhood streets to major infrastructure projects.”
Mr Wahab informed that, with the approval of the KMC Council, a decision was taken to auction unused and scrap items, as a result of which Rs227 million were generated. Using these funds, five new heavy vehicles were purchased. Two vehicles have been allocated to the E and M Department, while one vehicle each has been provided to the Anti-Encroachment, Parks, and Veterinary Departments.
He further stated that five more vehicles would soon be purchased for various departments, while the repair of five buses had also been completed. The mayor said that the new heavy vehicles would prove effective in field operations, accelerate the process of removing encroachments in the city, and further improve work related to parks and urban beautification. These measures, he stated, would significantly enhance the overall performance of KMC departments.
Speaking about development projects, Mr Wahab said that work was underway on Jahangir Road and the alternative road of Natha Khan Bridge, and that he himself would visit these projects. Work on the Bhains Colony flyover is also progressing rapidly, and he expressed hope that this long-standing issue of the people of Malir would be resolved within the next few weeks. He announced that a new flyover would be constructed on the route from Shahrah-e-Bhutto to the airport, adding that the target was to complete ongoing development works within 100 days.
The Karachi mayor said: “This year is the year of development projects and that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is going to spend Rs46 billion across the city. Development activities are underway in every district and every area of the city, and the progress is clearly visible.”
He stated that Rs600 million would be spent in the Old City area, benefiting residents of Jodia Bazaar, Lee Market, and Napier Road, while the ongoing works on Shahrah-e-Liaquat will also be completed soon.
He further said that the Korangi Causeway bridge wouldl soon be opened for citizens, while the EBM Causeway had been completed by the representatives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He added that the Baloch Colony Expressway, Murghi Khana Flyover, and other projects would also be presented to the citizens as gifts soon. It was also announced that different phases of the Red Line project would be opened for the public in March and July.
Responding to a question, the mayor said that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is visiting Karachi and would be provided full security and protocol; however, the city cannot be allowed to be held hostage. He said there is no objection to political activities, but traffic in the city should not be paralyzed.
Mr Wahab said that if intentions were clear, the destination becomes easier. Resources would be spent on the improvement of the city, and the coming time would be better for the citizens of Karachi, he concluded.