Sindh seeks PQA’s support in water scheme

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah requested Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar on Friday to direct the Port Qasim Authority to cooperate with the provincial government for a water supply scheme for Karachi's South district.

Shah also informed the federal minister of 319 structures constructed along the embankments of Mehmoodabad nullah, which would have to be razed as part of the drain's remodelling design.

The CM was briefing Umar during a meeting of the Karachi Coordination Committee held on the day to review progress on various on-going projects including cleaning of drains, garbage lifting, water supply and construction of roads.

The planning minister represented the federal government and other members on the team include Karachi Corp Commander Lt General Humayyun Aziz and Inter-Services Intelligence Director-General Lt General Faiz Hameed.

Provincial representatives included the local government minister, Karachi administrator, planning and development chairperson and others.

Water supply

During the meeting, Shah informed the federal minister that the provincial government has initiated a scheme to supply 30 million gallons of water daily (MGD) for the South district but the PQA is reluctant to give passage. Umar assured the CM that the issue would be resolved.

The Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV) was also discussed during the meeting, with the federal and provincial representatives noting that the Centre has taken up the work to complete the much awaited K-IV project and all relevant documents have been handed over. The federal government has tasked the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) with completion of the project, said Umar, assuring that the project will be completed on priority basis.

Storm water drains

Besides, the CM informed that the remodelling design for Mehmoodabad nullah has been submitted for approval. The nullah is sixmetres deep at Korangi and its depth reduces as it runs further down, finally shrinking to one-metre in Defence Housing Authority and till it ends. "This is a serious problem [regarding] discharge [of] smooth flow of water," said Shah.

The CM pointed out that in the proposed remodeling design, 319 structures encroaching on the drain would be affected. "In the proposed remodelling design, these defects have been pointed out to remove them."

The work on the nullah should begin at the earliest, said Umar, adding that the Centre has authorized the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to utilise Rs7 billion for cleanliness works for drains and related tasks.

The CM further informed that the NED University of Engineering and Technology would be completing the design and survey of Gujjar and Orangi nullahs by January 15.

Solid waste management

Besides, Shah stated that amendments were being made to the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board's law to devolve it to the city level. The port city will have a separate solid waste management board to carry out cleanliness work, said Shah.

Elaborating further, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said that the sweeping of roads, door-to-door garbage collection and subsequent shifting of garbage to the Garbage Transfer Stations (GTS) and then to the landfill site would be done by the new authority.

However, the meeting was also informed that the contracts for cleanliness works in Central and Korangi districts are being auctioned. Private firms will be awarded these contracts by end of February 2021.

The CM further informed the meeting that he would be launching mega projects - Malir Expressway and ICI Bridge remodelling - on the public private partnership model. Both of these schemes will reshape traffic flow in the city, he said, adding that funds have also been released to construct dilapidated roads from Gulbai to Y-junction and the roads in SITE Area.