Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon while assuring contractors of timely payments, directed officials concerned to import missing components of the Orange Line project by air from China, instead of sea to save time. During his visit to Abdul Sattar Edhi Orange Line Bus Rapid Transport corridor on Sunday he told Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) officer to give him updates every two hours about the progress on the project.
Sharjeel Memon and his team reviewed the pace of ongoing civil infrastructure development work on bus corridor including completion of bus depot and stations. Sindh Mass Transit Authority Managing Director Capt (retd) Altaf Hussain Sario, Director Operations Yousuf Munir were also present on the occasion. Nespak Consultant Rehan Zaman and the contractors of Package 1, Package 2, Package 3 briefed the minister on the ongoing work.
On the occasion, mass transit minister directed that civil work should be completed by May 30. All works including construction of underground fuel tank, waste water plant, shed at depot, installation of lifts and escalators should be completed in time. He directed that components of escalators should be imported from China by air instead of sea so as to complete installation in committed time. He said that the officers of SMTA should monitor the work 24 /7 and report should be submitted to him after every two hours.
"I want the work completed under all circumstances. I will not tolerate negligence," the minister added. Sharjeel Memon directed the contractors to increase the machinery and labor on site and work round the clock to complete it. "I take the responsibility of your payments." He assured them that full payment to contractors will be ensured.
Water shortage
The Sindh government has expressed grave concern over water scarcity in the province. Sharjeel Memon in his statement said that water shortage in Sindh barrages was alarming. He said that Kotri Barrage is facing 72% water shortage. After irrigation and potable water, supply to industries is now likely to be affected in coming days.
Sharjeel Memon said that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) failed to implement the 1991 water accord. IRSA was following the three tier formula for distribution of water among the provinces for the last many years which was illegal and against the mandate of the authority. He said that KhyberPakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were exempted from sharing water scarcity.
Only Sindh has to bear the entire burden of water scarcity. Punjab takes more water than its share during the water shortage season which is evident from IRSA's own reports. Sharjeel Memon demanded immediate closure of flood canals including CJ canal as it is violation of the 1991 water accord.
"Sindh is not demanding water share of any other federating unit," the minister said and added that they only wanted the share under water accord as life is being severely affected in Sindh due to acute shortage of water and farmers, women, senior citizens and children are on the roads for water from Kashmore to Keenjhar.
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