Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah. PHOTO: EXPRESS
He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a new pumping station, having the capacity of supplying 100 MGD, at Dhabeji. The pumping station was inaugurated by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who unveiled a plaque on the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony, the CM said, "At present, Karachi receives 450 MGD, to which another 50 MGD will be added after the new pumping station starts functioning." This means that the city will now receive 500 MGD from Keenjhar Lake, he added. The CM further said that 100 MGD was being supplied to the metropolis from Hub, though acknowledging that line losses had soared to 30 MGD due to defects in canal lines.
He apprised the attendees of the ceremony that at a recently held meeting he had approved the renovation, reconstruction and revamp of the water canal extending from Hub to West District so that the city receives 100 MGD without any losses during the conveyance. "Hence, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) will soon be able to ensure the supply of 600 MGD to the city," he said.
100 MGD pumping station
Sharing details about the new pumping station, the CM said that its machinery and motors were imported from Germany.
"It comprises four pumping machines, each having a capacity to supply 25 MGD, which adds up to 100 MGD," he elaborated.
The pumping station was initially constructed in 1959 under the first phase of Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply scheme and was equipped with 1,400-hp motor pumps running in diesel and gas. Originally manufactured by a German company, the pumping station was running but multiple repairs over the past 60 years had resulted in a decrease in its efficiency and capacity. Hence, it has been replaced by a new one, aimed at supplying additional 50 MGD to Karachi.
Lauding Bilawal, the CM credited for the completion of various projects in "the third phase of development projects within a month." Addressing him, CM Shah said, "[Recently], you inaugurated roads and underpasses in Karachi, twice in 15 days, and now, just after 14 days you are inaugurating this pumping station."
He announced that the PPP chairperson would lay the first stone for another development scheme pertaining to the construction of Ghotki-Kashmore bridge over Indus River. "This will be the third bridge on Indus River, constructed by the provincial government of its own resources," he said.
The CM also assured that the K-IV project would soon see the light of day. "We are working with the federal government on the project and all bottlenecks and design defects, if any, would soon be removed," he said, adding that the work on the project would start shortly.
Criticism on Centre
Casting aspersion on federal ministers, the CM alleged that they have been "unveiling plaques of projects already launched while some even broke the name plates of various projects." Taking a jibe at federal ministers, he said, "If they are interested in inaugurating projects then they may come to Sindh. Here, we have completed many projects but do not have the time to inaugurate them." Addressing them directly, the CM added, "We will give you the opportunity to inaugurate our projects, and, as a matter of fact, you have a habit of inaugurating schemes completed by previous governments."
Speaking about the Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, the CM deplored that meeting was not called within a year's period, as it should have been, and even when it was called, minutes of the meeting were not sent out timely. "Once sent out, they turn out to be a hotchpotch of details, resulting in a delay in the implementation of decisions taken during the CCI meeting," he said.
"This is how things are, but even then, we will continue our struggle for the rights of the people of Sindh," the CM pledged.
Also speaking on the occasion, Bilawal directed relevant authorities in the provincial to reconstruct the dilapidated Haleji Lake Road for the convenience of the commuters. Besides, Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and KWSB Managing Director Asadullah Khan also addressed the ceremony.
Sindh Human Settlements Minister Ghulam Murtaza Baloch, Adviser to CM on Law, Environment and Coastal Development Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Local Government Secretary Roshan Shaikh and scores of PPP workers attended the ceremony among others.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2020.
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