Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday inaugurated the Jinnah Bridge in District Keamari after the completion of an improvement and rehabilitation project at a cost of Rs609 million.
Addressing the ceremony, he said the major project will make travel safer and easier for citizens. He said that under the project, the replacement of expansion joints and asphalt work on Jinnah Bridge has been completed.
He said that approximately 775,000 square meters of asphalt has been laid on Jinnah Bridge, while 552 meters long expansion joints have also been replaced. He added that the KMC’s efforts to improve Karachi’s key infrastructure are continuing consistently.
The mayor added that providing better and safer travel facilities to citizens is a top priority of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. The rehabilitation of Jinnah Bridge will improve traffic flow between the port and other parts of the city and provide significant convenience to commuters. He said the Jinnah Bridge is known as the “Gateway to Pakistan,” while the port is connected to major highways through Jinnah Bridge and Netty Jetty Bridge. He said that after the construction of these bridges, their maintenance and repair were neglected for a long time.
Wahab said that when he assumed office as mayor, he was informed that every major bridge requires repair approximately every ten to fifteen years. However, despite this, private and government institutions earning billions of dollars from the port did not pay attention to the maintenance of these bridges. He said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation carried out the repair work of Jinnah Bridge and Netty Jetty Bridge at a cost of around Rs600 million. He added that inspection joints were repaired after 35 years to strengthen the structure of the bridge.
He added that his administration initiated work on the project and today it has been formally inaugurated. Moreover, G. Alana Road was also constructed by the KMC because public resources are a trust and the process of serving the city will continue.
The mayor said mangroves exist behind this area and he wants every citizen to have access to this place. He added that a large number of labourers and truck drivers pass through this route, therefore a proposal to build an alternative route through the sea is also under consideration to reduce public difficulties.
He said the project would cost several billion rupees and the people of Keamari deserve better travel facilities. He urged the federal government to support the KMC in resolving Karachi’s civic issues and called on port-related institutions to cooperate so that the difficulties faced by the people of Keamari can be reduced.
Wahab said Molvi Tamizuddin Khan Road and the Lalazar area fall under the jurisdiction of the Karachi Port Trust, while the Lyari Expressway already exists in the city for heavy traffic. He demanded that the federal government allow the National Highway Authority to permit trucks and trailers to use the Lyari Expressway.
Moreover, if the Lyari Expressway is opened for heavy traffic, traffic congestion in several areas of the city could improve. He added that major development projects are needed for the city and problems cannot be solved merely through statements.
The mayor said the federal institution -- Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited -- has already received Rs20 billion, therefore serious steps should be taken to resolve the city’s problems. He said that if Rs600 billion can be spent in Lahore, then Karachi should also receive similar attention because double standards are harming the city.
He said the KMC is working to improve the city’s infrastructure and has the capacity to take over and operate the Lyari Expressway in a better manner. He added that several development projects have been inaugurated in District Malir and efforts will continue during his tenure to resolve public issues.
He further said that the sewage treatment plants in Mauripur and Haroonabad will become operational this year, while Shahrah-e-Bhutto up to Kathore will also be completed this year. The mayor said the issue of Karimabad Underpass has been resolved and the problem of Munawar Chorangi Underpass will also be resolved soon.
He clarified that the Red Line BRT is a project of the Karachi Transport Department and has no direct connection with the KMC. He said development work in the city is ongoing and the situation is moving in the right direction.
The mayor also said that he maintains friendly relations with Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori and expressed hope that joint efforts will continue to resolve the city’s issues. He added that more than Rs50 billion will be spent on Karachi this year and more projects will also be introduced for the improvement of the city.
