Ali Zaidi vows to resolve traffic congestion issue on Kemari Road

KARACHI: Federal minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi chaired an important meeting on Saturday at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to resolve traffic congestion problems faced by goods transporters on Keamari Road.

The meeting was well attended by Member National Assembly Abdul Qadir Patel, federal Secretary Maritime Affairs Rizwan Ahmed, Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (retd) Jamil Akhtar, Deputy Commissioner West Fayyaz Solangi, representatives of Sindh Infrastructure Development (SIDCL), South Asia Port Terminal (SAPTL), goods transporters and high officials of KPT.

The meeting focused on finding solutions to resolve the traffic congestion problems being faced by the goods transporters on Keamari Road due to traffic jams created by oil tankers. During the meeting, Chairman KPT informed the federal minister that Lyari Expressway was primarily constructed for the heavy vehicle transportation but was later made unavailable to heavy traffic coming out of Karachi Port.

Chairman KPT demanded the possession of parking area land occupied by the oil tankers which would ease the traffic jam. He said that encroachments have further contributed to this menace and choked the port area of KPT.

He informed about his previous efforts of approaching law enforcement agencies, including the Sindh Rangers and Police departments, for the removal of oil tankers from the parking area banned by the Supreme Court.

Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Solangi asked Chairman KPT to nominate an official of the organisation to remain in touch with him in this regard. He offered to conduct an immediate anti-encroachment drive to help KPT in acquiring back its land.

Chairman KPT nominated the General Manager Civil Works & Estate Sohail Anwer for such tasks. The meeting concluded on positive note and it was decided that SIDCL representative Samar Khan will present the master plan for land utilisation under Lyari Expressway during the next meeting on February 1.

Ali Zaidi directed the representative of SIDCL to coordinate and work jointly in this regard with the Deputy Commissioner Karachi.