President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday directed the Sindh government to prioritise a comprehensive plan to prevent urban flooding in Karachi. He emphasised adopting a sustainable, long-term strategy based on international best practices for managing sewage and stormwater.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting on saving Karachi from urban flooding, addressing environmental degradation, and promoting sustainable water resource development at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
During the meeting, international water and sewage management experts presented various solutions, proposing models based on the tunnel sewer systems of Washington DC, the London Super Sewer Project, and the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System of Singapore.
It was proposed to develop a network of small and large sewer tunnels under existing roads in high-flood zones of Karachi. It was highlighted that underground tunneling using modern techniques would not disturb the public, city traffic, or land ownership.
Experts informed that Karachi generates almost 450 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage, which is currently collected in small and large open drains that flow into the Lyari and Malir rivers and are then released untreated into the sea, polluting the marine ecosystem.
They noted that the existing network of drains has limited capacity, absorbing only around 50% of the rainwater under normal circumstances. Excess water that is not absorbed by the system causes urban flooding.
President Zardari underlined the need to complete the feasibility study for controlling flooding in Karachi through tunneling options within three months. He stated that Karachi and its coastal areas must be made clean and brought up to par with other metropolitan cities around the world.
Since the proposed project would have significant environmental impacts, he suggested that the Sindh government approach international donors to seek environmental financing.
He also remarked that the city of Hyderabad faces similar urban flooding and sewage issues that need to be addressed urgently.
Additionally, the president noted that constructing a wastewater treatment system would help supply treated water to Balochistan for agriculture and promote the fisheries sector.
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