'Sukkur cannot be left thirsty'

CM says city's population increased by around 68% between 1998 and 2023

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has declared that a city nestled along the mighty Indus cannot be left thirsty, directing officials to fast-track plans for a modern water supply system capable of meeting its growing needs. The proposed project envisages a treatment capacity of 40 to 50 million gallons per day (MGD), alongside improvements to existing treatment facilities and the city's distribution network, with a public-private partnership (PPP) model under consideration.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's House on Sunday to review the Sukkur water supply project and its proposed PPP framework, Murad Ali Shah said providing clean and safe drinking water was a fundamental responsibility of the government and that no effort would be spared to resolve the city's persistent water supply problems.

The chief minister noted that Sukkur's population had increased by approximately 68% between 1998 and 2023, making a modern and reliable water supply system essential to meeting both present and future demand. He directed the relevant departments to base their planning on population growth, urban expansion and rising water consumption to ensure access to safe drinking water for every household.

Sister-city ties with China's Yichang

The CM said a proposal was under consideration to establish sister-city relations between Sukkur and Yichang, a Chinese city situated along the Yangtze River. He said the proposed partnership could enable Sukkur to benefit from China's urban development experience and help transform it into a modern, well-planned urban centre.

Highlighting Sukkur's distinctive identity as a city on the banks of the Indus, Murad Ali Shah said its development should reflect its own character and potential while drawing inspiration from Yichang's experience. He said improvements to Sukkur Barrage, coupled with wider urban development, could create a remarkable blend of modern civic amenities, natural beauty and the surrounding rural landscape.

The chief minister directed the LG Dept, PPP Unit and Sukkur Water and Sewerage Corporation (SWSC) to pursue the project on practical and sustainable lines, ensuring that public interest, consumer rights and service quality remained paramount.

Treatment capacity of up to 50 MGD

The meeting was informed that the proposed project envisaged a water treatment capacity of 40 to 50 million gallons per day. The CM directed officials to determine the required capacity and investment on the basis of realistic demand projections, sound technical planning and operational preparedness.

The project also includes upgrading existing water treatment infrastructure at Bukhar Island, Bandar Road, Exhibition Ground and Airport Road, alongside improvements to pumping and distribution arrangements.

Distribution network to be

expanded

The meeting was informed that the existing distribution system currently meets around 60 to 70% of the city's water demand, while completion of an ongoing ADP scheme worth Rs2.14 billion is expected to increase coverage to between 80 and 90%.

The chief minister directed the Local Government Department, Sukkur mayor and SWSC to pursue improvements in water treatment capacity and the distribution network simultaneously. He emphasised that increasing water production alone would not resolve the crisis unless treated water could reach households across all parts of the city.