Sindh Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Ismail Rahu while expressing satisfaction over all the steps and procedures of environmental clearance given to Malir Expressway by Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), said that in order to maintain the continuity of development in the province, it is important to ensure sustainable development while meeting all environmental requirements.
The environment minister, in his office on Friday, received a detailed briefing from SEPA Director General Naeem Ahmed Mughal on all the stages of review and scrutiny of the said project. Additional Chief Secretary Muhammad Hassan Iqbal was also present on the occasion.
DG SEPA, in his detailed presentation to the minister, said that during the construction of the said project, water requirement would be met by procuring tankers and not from local water. However, after the construction of the project, the daily load of about 19,000 to 33,000 vehicles on the main roads will be shifted to the newly constructed road, which will significantly improve the overall traffic flow situation.
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He told Ismail Rahu that a total of eight houses would be affected during the construction of the project and there will be no damage to any other existing structures. He said that all the relevant departments, including Revenue, Social Welfare, Fisheries, Local Government, Health, Culture, Agriculture, and Works and Services, have been consulted during the review of the EIA report of the project.
Apart from these, necessary consultations were also held with Iqra University, PNS Mehran Naval Provost, Faisal Air Base, NTDC, SSGC, Wildlife, Malir Bandh Division, KWSB and PDMA.
The project was submitted to the EIA SEPA office on March 9, 2022, the DG SEPA said. The site was visited on March 24 while the plan was approved on April 6, 2022, after convening a review meeting of the committee of experts on April 1.
The minister appreciated the performance of SEPA in completing all the stages of approval and urged them to work diligently, while ensuring protection of environment and conservation of natural resources for sustainable development in the province.
DG SEPA, in his detailed presentation on the thread-bare analysis of the approval process of the subject project, informed the minister that contrary to prevailing assumptions, the water needs of the project during its construction phase will not be served by curtailing a single drop of a local water share. "The main reliance for its water supply shall be on tanker service."
The referred project bears a cost of Rs27.5 billion and its approximate length is 38.75 kilometers. It will be completed in 30 months, as mentioned in its EIA report.
Ismail Rahu said that the Sindh government has decided to launch an awareness campaign among locals about increasing temperatures and the heatwave across Sindh, including Karachi. "Citizens should not go out unnecessarily in the afternoon. Heat can damage your health."
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2022.
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