Karachi’s famous Hill Park to be restored to original shape

Jumbo Editorial Team

The Hill Park, situated on a hilltop surrounded by the residential area of Block 6 of PECHS, has been one of the most popular recreational spots in Karachi over the years. It houses amusement arena, fast food centres, restaurants, an artificial lake and other facilities which attract a large number of people to have an outing with their families.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has planned to restore the Hill Park to its original state by undergoing a reconstruction plan at a cost of Rs250 million. 

A new hiking track will be developed alongside the boundary wall of the park after removal of the encroachments around it. 

The KMC Administrator, Mohammad Hussain Syed, during his recent visit to the Hill Park along with other municipal officials, took notice of a damaged water supply and the poor sewerage system in the park, which was established in the 1960s. 

Under the development plan, in the first stage water supply and sewerage system will be restored with the construction of an underground and overhead reservoir so that tree plantation and greenery could be made possible in the park.

The electrical system of the park was also found not in working condition which caused darkness through the park’s corridors and on the internal roads and the citizens have been facing trouble due to this shortcoming. 

The KMC Administrator has directed the Director General Parks to immediately install new wires and electric poles with light-emitting diode (LED) lights for restoration of the lighting system in the park. 

While visiting the View Point spot of the park, he gave instructions for reconstruction of important spot of the park. 

He recalled that this View Point was like the famous Daman-e-Koh in Islamabad from which the whole capital city could be looked at from a vantage point, similarly the visitors of Hill Park could see the Karachi City from the View Point.

He also gave directions for restoration of greenery in all the parts of the park with the reconstruction of pathways and the central lake, installation of iron grill around the lake and restoration of old fountain in the Bano Park. 

The Director General Parks briefed the administrator about the development plan for the Hill Park. 

He said that the hilly area of the park would be filled with plantation to give it a look similar to the jungle. Seating arrangements would be made under these trees and corridors of the park would have dim lights. 

He added that the roads and internal corridors would be re-carpeted and the Sindh Government would be approached for providing funds for the installation of a security wall around the park.