Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday inaugurated the rehabilitation and improvement project of Jahangir Road from Guru Mandir to Teen Hatti, completed at a cost of Rs360 million. Wahab said the project included road rehabilitation and widening, drainage improvements, footpaths, lane markings and installation of streetlights.
Under the project, the 1.4-kilometre two-way road was widened from 26 feet to 32 feet. A total of 252,000 square feet of 80-mm paving blocks and 70,000 square feet of 60-mm paving blocks were laid. In addition, 50,000 square feet of asphalt base course and 50,000 square feet of asphalt concrete work were completed.
The mayor said damaged sewerage lines along the road were also rehabilitated, while more than 11,800 running feet of trenching was carried out for a 36-inch-diameter rainwater drainage line. Sewerage lines were connected to the Lyari River and 45 manholes were constructed to improve drainage.
Lane markings, kerb blocks and footpaths on both sides of the road were also completed. Eighty new solar lights were installed, while six damaged light poles were replaced. Wahab said his visit to Jahangir Road was aimed at fulfilling a promise made to citizens. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had reconstructed the road and converted its streetlights to solar power, benefiting millions of people who use the thoroughfare.
He said citizens who previously spent hours travelling through dusty and damaged sections of Jahangir Road would now have better commuting facilities. Residents had also been facing difficulties because of load-shedding, prompting the conversion of the road’s streetlights to solar power. The mayor said Jahangir Road was a major thoroughfare used by millions of people travelling towards Sohrab Goth and that its rehabilitation would make their commute easier.
He said rehabilitation work on SM Taufiq Road had also begun, while work was under way on the road connecting Guru Mandir to Patel Para. Construction of the Nishtar Road Flyover was also in progress. “We will fulfil the promises made to the people and continue the completion of development projects,” he said.
Wahab said the Pakistan Peoples Party leadership was continuing to fulfil its commitments and that the priority of party workers was to honour promises made to the people. He described the current year as one of completing development projects and said Karachi would visibly improve during the year.
He said people belonging to different religions, including Muslims, Christians and Hindus, and speaking different languages lived along Jahangir Road. “Karachi is a city for everyone, and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is working for all citizens without discrimination,” he said.
The mayor said political parties made promises to resolve public issues when seeking votes but only the PPP came forward to undertake practical work. The PPP followed its manifesto, he said, adding that hypocrisy could not resolve the city’s problems. “Those who are not united among themselves cannot effectively fight the case of this city,” he remarked.
Wahab said it was a matter of pride that local governments existed in every district of Sindh and were working to resolve public issues. Criticising his political opponents, he said those in government were staging sit-ins.
