KARACHl: Mayor of Karachi Wasim Akhtar on Wednesday demanded that the provincial authorities stop the construction of more than 100 skyscrapers in the metropolis, as it would gravely affect the already fragile civic infrastructure.

At a time when Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was demanding adequate water supply to Karachi and the rest of Sindh, the issuance of no-objection certificates to more than 100 high-rise buildings in the city would negate the vision of the chief minister himself, argued Mr Akhtar.

The mayor requested the chief minister to stop builders from constructing giant structures across the city though NOCs could be issued for building high-rises in those areas where the available infrastructure could withstand the expected pressure. Instead of allowing the tall buildings to be built, better infrastructure, efficient solid waste management, good transport system and parking spaces should be made available, he added.

Mr Akhtar said not only sewage and water mains were in pathetic condition, but the rest of the city`s infrastructure was in similar condition. In this situation, he said, the chief minster should stop the Sindh Building Control Authority and other related bodies in Karachi from issuing NOCs. The NOCs which had already been issued be cancelled, he added.

Or else the city`s infrastructure would be damaged beyond repair and civic life would be badly affected, said the Karachi mayor.

`The fact is that our fire brigade cannot extinguish [a] fire in a relatively small multistorey building. So, before issuing such NOCs everything else should be put in order,` he added.

The city mayor said the Supreme Court had also showed its displeasure over the existing solid waste management in Karachi.

He also said that it was noticed that warehouses were being constructed in parking spaces of buildings, while cars were being parked on streets, with the result that snarl-ups had become common.

He said the city`s infrastructure was already overburdened because of the construction of buildings on the plots which were originally meant for one or two families.

`The city deserves better treatment for which I request the chief minister to kindly look into my request with better understanding.