Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Works Department to expedite the dualization of the road from Jamshoro Phatak to Hyderabad via Kotri Barrage, alongside other significant development projects, to enhance public services in the province.
According to a statement issued by Sindh Chief Minister House today, Shah presided over a joint meeting of the Irrigation Department and Works and Services Department at the CM House. The meeting focused on reviewing progress on various development projects, including the K-IV water supply project. The K-IV initiative, with a budget of Rs. 39.9 billion, is partially funded by the federal government contributing Rs. 19.4 billion. As of now, Rs. 4 billion has been spent, with the Chief Minister urging a quicker pace of work.
During the meeting, Shah emphasized the need for effective execution and timely completion of projects aimed at improving public services. He received briefings on 799 ongoing development schemes under the Works and Services Department, valued at Rs. 166 billion. Shah instructed that all projects be completed by the end of the financial year.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, no new schemes have been introduced; instead, the focus remains on completing existing projects. Of the Rs. 55 billion allocated for the year, Rs. 37 billion has been utilized, but a throw-forward liability of Rs. 111 billion persists.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) system, initially estimated at Rs. 115.4 billion and revised to Rs. 172 billion. He urged officials to secure approval from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and noted the lack of expenditure to date, despite a Rs. 100 million allocation this year.
Additionally, Shah called for addressing the cost overruns in the Coastal Highway’s 36-kilometer extension, which has escalated from Rs. 16.2 billion to Rs. 29.9 billion. With Rs. 1 billion released so far, the Sindh government is covering a significant portion of the increased costs. The CM tasked the chairman of P and D with resolving bidding process issues to resume work on the project promptly.