CM approves Korangi Causeway bridge construction

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved the construction of Korangi Crossing and Hub Canal rehabilitation project and directed the local government department to complete both the projects within a year.

He issued these directives on Wednesday while presiding over a meeting at the CM House. The meeting was held to review different projects planned to be launched in the city. Minister Local Government, Syed Nasir Shah, Administrator Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Finance Sajid Jamal Abro, Secretary Local Govt Najam Shah, Special Secretary to CM Rahim Shaikh and Additional secretary Finance Asad Zaim attended the meeting.

The chief minister said, there is a need that a bridge should be constructed at Korangi Cause. "The existing causeway submerges during heavy rains and so the people face serious problems," he said and added that with the construction of a bridge 28 per cent population of Landhi and Korangi would be facilitated. The chief minister was informed that there were two options for construction of the bridge. The first one is to construct a four-lane bridge and the other one, to construct a six-lane. At this the chief minister said that it must be six lanes so that it could cater to the requirement of the areas for next 20 years.

The local government official said that construction of six-lane bridge would cost around Rs5 billion and would be completed within two years. The CM directed the local government to complete it within a year and start its work on top priority basis. "I would provide you funds, you start tendering," he said.

Secretary Local Government Najam Shah said that the life of the bridge would be 80 years and it would be a 1.6km-long bridge.

The chief minister directed P&D department to prepare a plan to overhaul the Jam Sadiq Bridge. It should also be started within the next three months. The world bank's proposed alternate bridge would also be constructed for BRT bus services.

Meanwhile, minister Local government informed the CM the chief minister that the Hub Canal project includes construction of Hub Canal includes releac of water from Hub Dam and Rehabilitation of Hub filtration plant, enhancing its capacity from 80 to 100 MGD operation. Maintenance of the canal and pipe would cost Rs14 billion.

The chief minister was further informed that the project would be completed within two years. The chief minister said that his government would finance the project with the condition to complete it within a year.

The CM directed the finance department to arrange funds meanwhile the local government would start tendering work.

The chief minister was further informed that the 65 MGD Bulk Water Supply project would start from Keejhar Gujju Canal to high point, including construction of Gharo water pumping stations.

The chief minister directed the local government department to start the project and arrange the funds. "This city needs water, and we cannot delay water projects," he said.

He directed the department to start the tendering process so that work could be started on time.

Sea water Reverse Osmosis Plant

Syed Nasir Shah informed the chief minister that a five MGD sea water desalination plant project of KWSB has already been approved.

The plant would be installed at Ibrahim Hyderi.

He added that its feasibility was being prepared by a private firm and its pre-qualification document was ready for launch.

At this the chief minister directed the local government to work out the cost of the project and cost of the water per gallon so that it could be assessed.

He added that if the cost of the production, per gallon, was feasible more projects would be launched.

The chief minister directed the local government department to focus on the water board's water distribution system.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2022.