Sindh launches Rs802.39b projects to 'transform' Karachi

PPP govt asks Centre to provide a matching grant for Karachi

KARACHI:

The Sindh government claimed on Thursday to have launched 24 development projects worth Rs802.39 billion in the city, and asked the Centre to match the amount so that Karachi could be 'transformed into a most modern city.'

Addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister's House, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah said, "I would request the federal government to provide a matching grant so these projects can be completed in time."

The projects were said to cover water supply, sewerage, solid waste disposal, road infrastructure, drainage, and mass transit. The costs incurred by the provincial government for these various projects were also shared.

In the first phase of water supply projects, Rs11.3 billion was said to have been utilised with Rs46.3 billion still needed. Around Rs20 billion is expected from the World Bank for the augmentation of existing bulk water supply by 260 million gallons per day (MGD) under the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP).

Besides, 30 water supply schemes were said to have been launched under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) at the cost of Rs17.5b of which Rs3.1b has been utilised, and Rs13.3b is yet to be released.

The cost of the Greater Karachi Sewerage Plan (S-III) was stated to be Rs36.2m of which Rs10.7m have been spent. Another Rs20b is expected from the World Bank for a treatment plant at Korangi, again under the KWSSIP.

The World Bank is also expected to release funds for infrastructure and services components, including parks, internal roads and sewerage under the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) project.

Other projects included cleaning of water from nullahs and temporary storage and dewatering facilities, 10 ADP schemes pertaining to stormwater drains and nullahs, construction of Malir Expressway, Karachi Circular Railway, underpasses and roads, bus rapid transit (BRT) projects, and more.

According to Shah, if the Centre extended financial support, Karachi's living standards would be at par with developed cities.

The CM also commented on the unprecedented rains in the city this year and listed the amount of rain received in each area of Karachi - the highest at 743.1mm in Gulshan-e-Hadeed. It was also noted that rains lashed across Sindh with as much as 404.5mm rain being received in the province's rural districts.

According to Shah, at least 81 people died across the province in two months of the monsoon season.

He added the provincial government was providing food, water and medical facilities at relief camps for those displaced by the rain in Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas.

The CM also requested the Centre to support farmers by providing interest-free loans after the rains destroyed standing crops.

In response to a question, Shah said that the Karachi Metropolitan Commission administrator would be appointed soon. It was the jurisdiction of the Sindh government and everyone was being consulted, he said.

Regarding local body polls he said that the provincial government had reservations on the 2017 census and once they were addressed and delimitation carried out, elections would be held.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2020.