Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of Jahangir Road, from Guru Mandir to Teen Hatti.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony, Mr Wahab said that Jahangir Road is an important artery connecting two districts, and residents of the area had been facing severe road and sewerage problems for years. In the past, the road was constructed by the KDA, but it was damaged during rains. Due to a lack of resources, only partial work had been carried out on the road from time to time-sometimes by the KDA and sometimes by the KMC-resulting in the issue never being resolved permanently.
He halted the immediate tendering of the city’s seven water hydrants following the expiration of their contracts, demanding that the Water Corporation first prepare a comprehensive strategy for equitable water distribution. Acknowledging that water scarcity is a reality, the Mayor highlighted the injustice of a system where some areas receive water daily while others go without for up to 100 days.
The Mayor explained that a decision on whether to issue new hydrant contracts, grant extensions, or shut them down would only be made after reviewing the Water Corporation’s proposal, which will be presented to the City Council. A board meeting to decide the matter is scheduled for 23 January. He questioned how areas without pipeline access would be supplied if tanker services were stopped completely.
Addressing another pressing civic challenge, Mayor Wahab noted that the rapidly increasing population of stray dogs has become a major issue with divided public opinion. Stating that objections are raised whether the dogs are culled or not, he confirmed the administration is seeking guidance from the court on the matter and will implement whatever decision is handed down.
These remarks were made during a ceremony on Wednesday to lay the foundation stone for the reconstruction of Jahangir Road, from Guru Mandir to Teen Hatti. Mayor Wahab identified the road as a vital artery connecting two districts, where residents have endured severe sewerage and road issues for years.
He explained that previous piecemeal repairs by the KDA and KMC had failed to provide a permanent solution. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will now fully reconstruct the 1.4-kilometre road using its own resources.
The project, fast-tracked from 90 to 60 days to reduce public inconvenience, includes a complete overhaul of the decades-old sewerage system and the construction of new storm-water drains to prevent future rain damage. The plan also incorporates the repair of streetlights and pedestrian bridges.
Technical specifications for the road include a 3-inch asphalt base, a 2-inch asphalt wearing course, and 2,000 running feet of storm-water drains with 36-inch diameter pipelines. Paver blocks and curb stones will also be installed on both sides.
The mayor emphasised that this project is part of a wider development strategy across the city, with the KMC currently undertaking works worth a total of Rs46 billion. He mentioned that construction and rehabilitation had begun on over 400 roads, a bridge in Malir was progressing rapidly, and development budgets have been allocated to all 246 Union Committees.
Furthermore, he announced that Rs9.25 billion, provided with the support of the Sindh Chief Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, had been allocated to seven industrial associations for infrastructure improvement.
Responding to potential scrutiny over the extensive spending, the mayor stated that the KMC fully respects the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and will provide any requested records. He affirmed that development work would not be halted out of fear and challenged that if NAB believes any work is substandard, it should present evidence.
In his closing remarks, MR Wahab invited all political parties to collaborate on solving the city”s problems, stating that the KMC is working day and night to honour the mandate given by the people of Karachi.