By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated a series of development projects in UC‑38 and UC‑39 of Manghopir, Surjani Town, District West, highlighting the city government’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and public services.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Wahab said that Rs30 billion would be spent on Karachi’s development this year. Tenders for the Saba and Ajmer Nagri pumping stations have been completed, while work continues on a project that will add 70–80 million gallons of water to the city. To address shortages in Gulshan‑e‑Iqbal, the KLSR pumping station is being made operational.
The Khamiso Goth road will be inaugurated in the coming days. Solar energy has been introduced to pumping stations in Malir and Gadap, benefiting 56 settlements. Plans are also underway for new graveyards, with work set to begin once land is allocated and approvals obtained from the cabinet.
The Mayor urged citizens to report any extra fees charged by graveyard administrations through the KMC helpline. On the issue of manhole cover thefts, he said police assistance would be sought. City wardens are installing covers daily, with 208 new ones already placed in UC areas controlled by Jamaat‑e‑Islami.
The Mayor also addressed financial allocations for UC chairpersons, which were increased from Rs500,000 to Rs1.3 million, despite ongoing criticism from some quarters. He condemned the practice of “road-cutting,” accusing certain Jamaat‑e‑Islami town chairmen of permitting road damage after new constructions, and said the collection of Rs14 billion in the name of road-cutting would no longer be allowed.
Wahab said the Khamiso Goth road, which connects three union committees, had been in extremely poor condition. Under a Rs100 million PPP initiative, 110,000 square feet of road was paved, drainage systems were repaired, and over 200 manholes were installed, significantly improving the area’s infrastructure.
