Sindh CM announces schemes worth Rs1.6b for fish harbour uplift

Syed Murad Ali Shah says another 100m released for providing nets, boats to poor fishermen

KARACHI: The Sindh government had launched schemes worth Rs1.61 billion for the rehabilitation of Karachi Fish Harbour, while another Rs100 million was released to procure boats and nets for the fishermen, said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday.

Presiding over a meeting called to review ongoing schemes in Karachi's West district, the chief minister said that the release of funds for the purpose "will help improve the work environment for the fishermen at the harbour and will let poor fishermen have their own boats and nets."

It was also revealed during the meeting that funds were allocated for the restoration of Hub canal, which, the CM said, would provide an additional 50 millions of gallons per day (MGD) of water to West district.

Speaking in this regard, the CM said that the restoration of the canal would allow the supply of another 50MGD of water to the people of West district, adding that at present, most of the water in the channel was lost through seepage due to the presence of wide cracks in the canal’s walls.

The meeting was informed that Rs5 billion was allocated for 78 ongoing schemes in the West district, and so far, Rs1.85 billion had been released of the appropriated amount. From the funds released, Rs866.5 million - 47 per cent - had been utilised.

Some of the other important projects outlined during the meeting, include rehabilitation and expansion of 96 schools on priority basis at a cost of Rs174.3 million, provision of facilities to schools in Baldia Town at a cost of Rs612 million, upgrade of Sindh Government Qatar Hospital at a cost of Rs422.3 million and establishment of a cardiac emergency centre in Baldia Town at a cost of Rs472.4 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2020.