CM to take up mega projects at JCC meeting in Beijing

KCR, Keti bunder, Dhabeji Economic Zone, River lining, desalination plant, are on the table

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah said that Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) is an important project which the Sindh government wants to give citizens as a gift. "This $1.97 billion 43.24 kilometre KCR project will not only resolve traffic issues in the city but will also lift the overall image of the city in terms of urban transport facilities," he said while presiding over a preparatory meeting for the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will be held in Beijing this month.

The CM said that he will take up important projects like KCR, Keti bunder, Dhabeji Economic Zone, River lining, desalination plant for Karachi at the JCC meeting. The preparatory meeting was attended by Sindh Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahoo, Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh, Sindh Transport Minister Awais Shah, Planning and Development Chairperson Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Azeem Uqaili of Sindh Board of Investment and other concerned secretaries.



Shah added that the three projects approved in the 6th JCC meeting held on December 29, 2016 will also be taken up again. Most of their required formalities have been completed.

Talking about Dhabeji Special Economic Zone project, the CM said that it was being established on 1,530 acres. The zone is located at an important site; it is connected with the National Highway and is near the Motorway. This project will cost around Rs43b.

Waseem told the CM that paper work was being done on the Keti Bunder project. A jetty would be constructed in the first phase which will be used for coal export and in the second phase the place would be upgraded as a full-fledged seaport. The port would have approaching roads towards National Highway and Motorway.

Shah said that he has also worked out other projects which include agriculture project, environment project, desalination project for Karachi and "we may request for river lining from Guddu to Sukkur".

The CM said that China has made tremendous progress in the agriculture sector. "We want to benefit from their research and practical work," he said, adding that the agriculture project will include changing crop patterns, introduction of low delta and high yielding crops and mechanisation of the entire agricultural system.

With reference to the environment project, the CM said that he would make the entire province `Green Sindh' and millions of trees will be planted and looked after. "I'll start tree plantation right from Thar to Kinjhar and from Karachi to Kashmore," he said while adding that this would be done scientifically.

Shah said that people were talking about climate change but practical measures are needed. "We will take tangible measures to improve overall environment under the guidance of Paris agreement."



He said that he has worked out a plan under which River lining from Guddu Barrage to Sukkur Barrage will be carried out. "I have started consultations with water experts and all consultations will be finalised within the next 15 days so that this project, if feasible, can be tabled in the JJC meeting."

According to the CM, the lining of a River belt from Guddu to Sukkur will not only be helpful in conservation of water but it will also mitigate the effects of water logging on the right and left banks of the river where thousands of acres of land is submerged. "This will also prevent the katcha area [river banks] from flooding," he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2018.