KPCIP promises clean water, green spaces
The unavailability of sufficient usable water resources can lead to food security issues in an agriculture-based economy with a burgeoning population. PHOTO: file
Millions of people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are set to gain access to clean drinking water and a healthier environment through the implementation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP).
The Caretaker Minister of the Local Government, Elections, and Rural Development Department, Advocate Sawal Nazir Khan, highlighted the transformative impact of the ongoing and proposed projects during a meeting at the KPCIP office.
Under the financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Investment and Infrastructure Bank, the provincial government has been executing multiple projects in the five divisional headquarters of Peshawar, Mardan, Mingora, Abbottabad, and Kohat. These projects aim to modernize the municipal services sector and introduce comprehensive improvements to benefit the local population.
The project director, Syed Zafar Shah, provided a comprehensive overview of the projects’ financial, technical, social, and environmental aspects during the meeting.
He emphasized that an integrated waste management system will be established in the cities, ensuring the collection, safe transportation, segregation, and scientific disposal of waste in a sanitary landfill cell. This approach will have no adverse effects on the environment and the groundwater table.
In terms of water supply, the projects will involve the installation of flow meters and Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.
Additionally, the existing rusted pipes will be replaced with leak-proof water supply lines, addressing the issue of water leakage. Shah also addressed the problem of wastewater disposal in freshwater bodies, which leads to contamination and environmental hazards.
The projects will focus on treating the wastewater and utilizing it for irrigation purposes or returning it to water bodies, thus positively impacting aquatic and human life.
The KPCIP also includes the redesign and reconstruction of the existing dilapidated drainage system, which will significantly improve the management of stormwater and prevent flooding in the cities.
Moreover, the project director highlighted the importance of empowering women through entrepreneurship and business skills training, enabling them to contribute to the national reconstruction and development of society.
The integration of gender-inclusive green spaces is another crucial aspect of the project. The rehabilitation of the British-era Lady Garden on modern lines will create a climate change-resilient environment and promote the well-being of the community. The minister commended the quality and pace of work and assured the project director of his unwavering support at all levels.
In December 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $385 million in financing for the KPCIP. The project aims to enhance the livability and community health of the five cities through the construction of clean water supply treatment facilities, sewerage treatment facilities, and the rehabilitation of dysfunctional tube wells.
Over 3.5 million people will benefit from improved access to clean water, reliable waste management and sanitation services, green urban spaces, and gender-friendly facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2023.