Authorities have concluded their first day of the anti-encroachment drive along Mehmoodabad nullah removing impediments, structures on about seven-and-a-half-kilometer area. The extended and encroached areas and walls of houses and shops were either cleared away or demolished by the anti-encroachment drive. Calling it a day today, the authorities underscored they will continue the operation for four days straight in collaboration with Karachi Municipal Corporation and other relevant offices. It may be noted that earlier last month, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah chaired a Karachi Coordination Committee session to contemplate development projects and drainage infrastructure of the metropolis. The session deliberated over various nullahs across Karachi wherein the Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah said they have asked NED University to study and survey all the important lines for remodeling. Attended by important persons including ISI chief General Faiz Hameed, federal planning minister Asad Umar, and other provincial ministers and secretaries, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah noted in the session that remodeling of Mehmoodabad Nullah has been completed. The remodeling based on the study would mean the Nullah would be able to drain inundation by 270mm within 12 hours, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah briefed the session today. However, the Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah said if the remodeling has to be materialized, it will require razing about 319 structures that have been build around them as encroachment of dedicated land. TheMehmoodabad Nullah has a six-meter depth at the Korangi road at the moment and for its remodelling according to NED study, we’ll have to bulldoze 319 structures built on its land, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah said.
