Sindh’s Caretaker Chief Minister, Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, has given the green light to a substantial investment of Rs16.8 billion for crucial development initiatives in Karachi, aimed at addressing water-related issues. The allocated funds expected to expedite essential schemes, including the 65 MGD additional supply scheme, TP-I and TP-III, and the 10 MGD water supply scheme, signaling the initiation of work on water supply and treatment plants.
During a meeting at the CM House, it revealed that Karachi holds an approved water quota of 1,200 cusecs (650 MGD) from the Indus River, facilitated by the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). The existing bulk water supply infrastructure, comprising canals, conduits, pumping stations, and filter plants, designed to transport water to the city.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, focusing on the utilization of the available 65 MGD capacity from the Keenjhar Gujjo Canal, emphasized the project’s exclusive right of way with no encumbrance. Acknowledging a delay in the public-private partnership, Baqar directed the planning and development department to endorse the scheme within 10 days and instructed the finance department to promptly release Rs4.5 billion to initiate the project.
Addressing water scarcity in the SITE Industrial Area, Baqar directed KWSC to enhance its system by replacing old lines and rehabilitating the Nazimabad pumping station, allocating Rs2.1 billion to address the water needs of SITE Ltd. Additionally, he mandated KWSC to lay a dedicated 24-inch-diameter pipeline spanning 29km from Dumlottee to DHA, allocating Rs2.1 billion for the project to meet DHA’s critical water requirements.
The meeting also addressed challenges arising from the 2014 inflation rates affecting the capacity expansion of sewerage treatment plants. To counter this, Baqar approved Rs5 billion to kickstart the descaling of contracts for treatment, reducing TP-I from 1,000 MGD to 35 MGD and TP-III from 180 MGD to 100 MGD.
Urging KWSC to prepare and initiate the project promptly, Baqar demonstrated a commitment to addressing Karachi’s pressing developmental needs, particularly in the context of water infrastructure and supply.
 Maqbool Baqar, has given the green light to a substantial investment of Rs16.8 billion for crucial development initiatives in Karachi, aimed at addressing water-related issues.){kind=link}