A delegation from a Chinese company expressed its keenness on Wednesday to construct an elevated expressway from Maripur to Hawkesbay alongside Maripur Road and has already made necessary financial arrangements on government-to-government basis. Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar presided over a meeting with the Chinese delegation on the subject.

Captain M. Rizwan of the Navy, officials from the Sindh government's Department of Public-Private Partnership, Municipal Commissioner Dr Asghar Abbas, finance advisor Rehan Khan and other officials were present at the meeting. A statement issued by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation said the Chinese delegation gave a briefing on the financial aspects of the project at the meeting. The company has made all required financial arrangements on government-to-government basis, and a request for the project's approval has been sent to the Chinese government.

The mayor said the KMC would extend full support to the Chinese company, adding that Expressway project would mean a smooth and comfortable throughway to the coastal areas. Once the project is complete, it would help improve the city's infrastructure and reduce traffic jams, he said. The mayor said that after all initial information had been obtained, surveys have been conducted on the project.

He asked the officials concerned to provide information on the scheme to the Finance Department of the Sindh government so that the provincial Public-Private Partnership Department can be approached for assistance. The mayor would ask the Sindh governor, Muhammad Zubair, to have meetings with officials of the federal government, as well as the Sindh government, so that the interest of all stakeholders could be protected.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017