Sindh CM directs DCs to desilt nullahs before monsoon begins

CM Syed Murad Ali Shah says $11m WB project to line city's major nullahs is in the pipeline

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the local government department to work out a detailed plan for the desilting, cleaning and repair of nullahs and rainwater drains before the monsoon season begins, so that funds could be released in time.

Presiding over a rain emergency meeting on Wednesday, Shah said that he wanted all deputy commissioners (DCs), local government bodies and water boards to be on board while chalking out a rain emergency plan so that final action could be taken.

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar told the CM he was facing a financial shortfall for the desilting of nullahs, at which Shah advised him to increase the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's financial resources, while adding that the Sindh government would cover up the shortfall in finances for the project.

The CM further directed local government secretary Roshan Ali Shaikh to send him financial requirements through the finance secretary immediately.

He also told the mayor and Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani to work out a plan to avoid flooding of the sort that had previously hit Saadi Town, asking the former to pace up work on Mehran nullah so that the locality was not inundated once again this year.

"Almost all the newly-constructed major roads in Karachi have rainwater drains, so the water will not stand on the road if the linked nullahs are cleaned," he pointed out.

Shah further revealed that World Bank project to line almost all major nullahs in the city was expected to start within the next four months, costing $11 million. He said fences would also be installed around the nullahs to prevent encroachment.

Moreover, he ordered Shallwani to coordinate with K-Electric to ensure uninterrupted power supply to Karachi Water and Sewerage Board's pumping stations.

The meeting decided that all DCs would communicate the required suction machines, generators, pipes and other equipment to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority so these could be arranged accordingly.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad commissioner told CM that Rs70 million were required by Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) to complete preparations for the upcoming rainfall. "Under the planned works, seven nullahs will be cleaned and repaired," he informed. Stating that he would release the necessary funds in the first week of July, Shah directed him to begin the work immediately. He added that HESCO must supply electricity to WASA's pumping machines without interruption for the disposal of rainwater.

The CM was also apprised there were some low-lying areas in Shaheed Benazirabad, where most of the rainwater had accumulated, but nearly 70 per cent of the cleaning process of nullahs and drains in the district had been completed. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2020.