Sindh govt okays storm drain overhaul

CM orders new cleanliness drive, appointment of Karachi Solid Waste Management Authority director

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved the remodelling of Mehmoodabad Nullah and directed for rest of the city's stormwater drains to be developed accordingly afterwards. Besides, the CM issued directives for fresh cleanliness drives in the city and the appointment of the executive director for a 'Karachi Solid Waste Management Authority'.

At a meeting held at the CM House on Thursday to review the study being conducted of the Mehmoodabad Nullah by the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Shah observed that the issue needs to be resolved for good so urban flooding in the city can be prevented.

During the meeting, NED Vice Chancellor Dr Sarosh Lodhi informed the CM that the hydrological regime in Mehmoodabad Nullah's catchment area is spread over 19.03 square kilometres. Most of the artificially constructed waste water drains discharge into the nullah, including a section of the Defence Housing Authority's drainage network of 2.96km, he said.

The CM was told that the nullah, which begins from Korangi Road and extends till the fire station was originally 3.57km in length and its width varies at different places, ranging from 2.3 metres to 37.5 metres. The existing level of the drain is too deep at some points and shallow at other points, the CM was told.

Murad said the government would construct an 80-metre channel for the drain so that the variations in depth and width can be made such that the flow of water is in line with natural gravity. He directed the varsity's team to conduct a parallel study to determine whether a separate drainage channel may be constructed along the Mehmoodabad Nullah for disposal or waste water or whether only a conduit would be enough to drain out sewerage water in the same drain.

The meeting noted that typically 55 cusecs of water flows into the drain and therefore it could be used as a storm water drain after further expansion of width. However, a pumping station may be installed to pump out rainwater when it rains heavily in the city.

The CM also directed Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah to prepare a plan to install a pumping station and a treatment plant at the end of the drain, where it meets the sea.

He further issued directives for the construction of roads on either sides of the drain to ensure smooth flow of traffic and prevent encroachments in future.

Another cleanliness drive called

In another meeting held on the day to review on-going development schemes in Karachi, the CM directed local government officials to launch a fresh cleanliness drive in the metropolis.

The streets where gutters are overflowing due to choked or dilapidated systems should be overhauled and repaired, directed the CM, adding that the new drive will include sweeping, lifting of garbage, washing of dirty areas and repairing of the drainage system.

Murad directed Nasir to involve the district municipal corporations, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) for this purpose.

He was informed that the SSWMB authority for Karachi has been devolved from the main authority and its notification will be issued in coming days. At this, Shah directed the local government department to depute a dedicated officer as the executive director of the Karachi Solid Waste Management Authority.

Besides, reviewing on-going schemes pertaining to construction of roads' reconstruction and storm water drains, the CM directed the planning and development department to rehabilitate all roads in the neighbourhood of Burns Road and beautify the area. He further sought a plan from Planning and Development chairperson Muhammad Waseem within two days so that work may begin, after approval, in three weeks.

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