118 Heritage Buildings On Green Line Route To Be Renovated

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Dec, 2016 ) : A presentation regarding renovation and improvement of heritage buildings situated on the route of green line was held here on Thursday at Governor House which was presided over by Principal Secretary to Governor Sindh, Muhammad Suleh Ahmed Farooqui, and attended by a World Bank mission.

Khair Muhammad Kalwar, Director General Urban Policy, was also present on the occasion. It was informed that there were 118 heritage sites and buildings on the route of green line which have been marked for renovation, refurbishment and improvement to beautify the same and sustain their historical importance.

Principal Secretary to Governor said that all mass transit projects are aimed at providing improved travelling facilities to Karachiites and the green line was an integral part in this regard. He also said that integrating communities was also a pivotal component of mass transit so as to enable the locals to make full use of this rapid bus transport system.He further said that maintenance of such projects was a huge challenge and it would require absolute involvement of communities to make the same more effective and sustainable.

While highlighting the keen interest of group of civil society called Alliance for Civic Transformation (ACT), he said that it is contributing to make these heritage buildings more beautiful. As most of such buildings are situated in the business district of Karachi it was an enormous task to renovate and refurbish them, he added.

He also commended the neighborhood improvement project being carried out in Korangi with the assistance of World Bank. He stressed the need of initiating such ventures in other localities in Karachi also.

It was informed that green line would have 13 state of the art stations on its route from which there would be 4 main stations. It has now been extended till tower to facilitate commuters and its portion up to Guru mandir would be completed in 2017, it was further informed.

The World Bank mission showed keen interest in the project and asked for further details to extend cooperation for the project. The World Bank mission included Jaafar Fariaa, Jon Kher Kaw and Shoaib Ahmed.