KARACHI: Director General of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Zain ul Abidin Ansari, has called for the activation of the inactive parking plaza located in the Lines Area of Saddar to ensure its optimal use.
The purpose of this initiative is to revive this long-dormant project, promote business activities in the area, provide better facilities to the public, and create sustainable revenue sources for the authority.
On this occasion, DG KDA Zain ul Abidin Ansari stated that the Lines Area Parking Plaza is a crucial project that can be made beneficial for the area’s residents and traders through effective planning and administrative measures. Furthermore, it can play a vital role in improving the financial health of the authority.
In this regard, Member Finance KDA Naveed Anwar Siddiqui and Project Director of the Lines Area Resettlement Project (LARP), Muhammad Umar Farooq, presented various proposals. All proposed measures will be submitted to the LARP Board for approval in accordance with the rules and regulations, after which practical progress will be made under the approved plan.
He further added that the parking plaza houses over 159 shops and more than 120 offices, which can be utilized under an effective administrative strategy to generate new revenue opportunities.
In this context, the matter will be presented to the relevant board after reviewing the usage, availability, and future revenue potential of these shops and offices, ensuring maximum benefit is derived from these assets in compliance with legal requirements and prescribed procedures.
During the briefing, Project Director LARP Muhammad Umar Farooq informed the DG KDA that the auction of government property within the parking plaza had been unsuccessful on two occasions, leading to the dilapidation of the plaza’s shops and offices.
He noted that they must soon work on new revenue streams for the project. In this connection, various individuals and organizations have expressed interest in the government property located in the building. The DG KDA directed the LARP project to present feasible proposals as soon as possible to help increase LARP’s revenue.
According to DG KDA Zain ul Abidin Ansari, activating the parking plaza will help promote commercial activities in the area, create new employment opportunities, and alleviate traffic pressure through better management of vehicle parking.