Karachi: Development works give hope for a better Lyari

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Jan Khaskheli
Lyari, one of Karachi’s most neglected neighbourhoods, seems to be changing after the construction of roads, laying of sewerage lines, improvement in sanitary conditions and serious efforts for water supply. The injection of government funds and frequent visits of senior officials to the old neighbourhood have given rise to expectations that the uplift schemes will be completed soon to bring Lyari at par with other towns in Karachi.

The Lyari Town Municipal Administration has also launched a project to repair the three-kilometre-long Mirza Adam Khan Road to reduce the burden on main Mauripur Road. Financial support for the project is reportedly coming from the Sindh government.

Town Nazim Mahmood Hashim told The News that the road is a part of the many schemes that the town administration is launching to turn Lyari into a better place. He said that the feasibility of the Rs200 million road project has been designed and the project will be undertaken by National Highway Authority (NHA). Mirza Adam Khan road will link Keamari, Saddar, SITE, Garden and Lyari towns, he said.

Hashim said that they have already started demolishing encroachments on the road, including motor mechanic shops, and parking for rickshaws and trucks, which are being shifted to other areas.

After the completion of the Lyari Expressway, the Mirza Adam Khan Road was turned into a dumping site and encroachers set up shops, garages and vehicle parking on it, he said.

The Lyari Town Nazim further said that they have still to do a lot more work for the town, and need more time and funds. He referred to the libraries of the town and said: “We have started providing newspapers and periodicals to some libraries, but we need more funds to make these reading rooms purposeful.”

Lyari Town Municipal Officer Afaq Saeed told The News that the town administration has also launched a Rs30 million project for the renovation of parks. He said that all parks in the town will be updated by planting trees, and adding more recreational facilities for people.

The spokesperson of the town said that a cricket academy was being launched in Lyari for the first time in its history. She said that previously there were football, boxing and cycling clubs to keep the youth engaged in healthy activities but there was no proper academy for cricket. Renowned cricket players will train the youth of Lyari at the cricket academy, which, she hoped, will start functioning next month.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=209768