CM approves Rs25b for K-IV project

LG, finance ministers directed to sign agreement with FWO to start work


Our Correspondent June 09, 2016
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved Rs25 billion for the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV. PHOTO: icmhd.wordpress.com

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved Rs25 billion for the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV and directed the local government department to sign an agreement with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to start work on package-I.

He issued these orders while presiding over a meeting on Thursday on the K-IV project at CM House. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Syed Murad Ali Shah and Jam Khan Shoro, chief secretary Siddique Memon, principal secretary Alammuddin Bullo, ACS development Mohammad Waseem, finance secretary Sohail Rajput, local government secretary Baqaullah Unar and others.

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Local government minister Shoro said that K-IV's package-I includes intake structure, canal conduit, siphons and converters and will cost Rs15.254 billion. "We have held meetings with FWO authorities and have come to the conclusion that work on this package can be started if the chief minister kindly approves it," he said.

He requested the chief minister to approve 15% interest-free advanced mobilisation on insurance bonds. He said a 15% advance would be around Rs2.2 billion and the funds would be available for the project work. The chief minister approved the proposal and directed the minister to ensure the start of the work immediately. For the Rs25.551 billion K-IV project, the federal government will bear 50% of the total cost.

The chief minister said that the K-IV project was actually conceived in 2007 but the government at the time could not start it. "Now, I have made a commitment to the people of Karachi that I will provide them water and I am adamant to fulfill my commitment," he said.

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Finance minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that he has also discussed the project with the FWO and they are also ready to complete the project within two years.

The chief minister asked the provincial finance and local government ministers to make necessary arrangements for signing the agreement. "This would be a way forward and a renewal of our commitment and the FWO's commitment to us," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2016.

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