KARACHI: Perturbed by the constant digging up of newly constructed roads by utility agencies and other bodies in the city, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday stripped the town municipal corporations of their powers to grant road-cutting permissions within their respective jurisdiction.
In a bid to centralise the process, the CM decided that all permission to dig up roads to lay any line would now be granted by the Karachi mayor and city commissioner.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the CM House to review governance challenges in the metropolis.
“CM Shah noted that road-cutting in three districts of the city has created difficulties for residents, especially since many of these roads were newly constructed.
“He was informed that local towns had issued road-cutting permissions within their areas. As a result, the CM decided that road-cutting permissions would now be granted exclusively by the mayor and commissioner of Karachi,” said a statement issued after the meeting.
Mayor, commissioner’s assent must for undertaking any uplift, repair work; Murad announces portal for citizens’ complaints
The CM directed the local government department to issue an executive order to ensure that no KMC or town officer could independently grant road-cutting permission.
He also directed the chief secretary to streamline road-cutting operations to minimise disruptions.
However, it is not clear as whether towns continue to get road-cutting charges or not.
The meeting, which was attended by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant to CM Waqar Mahdi and other officials, discussed other critical issues such as drainage, illegal encroachments, sanitation, security and traffic management.
The CM reiterated his commitment to addressing Karachi’s challenges through efficient governance, rigorous monitoring and enhanced coordination between the city administration and local government departments.
‘Karachi Issues Portal’
During the discussion, the CM pointed out various issues, such as overflowing gutters, sanitation problems, debris on main roads, and other factors disrupting traffic flow and harming the administration’s reputation.
