'Every drop of water is precious'

CM says Karachi's water needs require resources mobilisation

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday reviewed measures to improve water supplies to Karachi and Hyderabad, stressing the need for better utilisation of existing resources and uninterrupted supplies during the upcoming closure of canals and barrages.

Chairing a meeting at the CM House, Shah reviewed progress on the concrete lining of the KB Feeder Canal (CC), water storage at Keenjhar Lake and the feasibility of Kotri Barrage. He directed relevant departments to make advance arrangements to prevent disruptions, saying meeting the water requirements of both cities remained the government's top priority.

According to a statement issued by the CM House, Shah said Karachi's growing water needs required the mobilisation of all available resources, improved management of existing supplies and upgrades to the distribution network.

The meeting was attended by Planning and Development Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Planning and Development Board Chairman Najam Shah, Irrigation Secretary Zarif Khero, Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui and other senior officials.

Shoro and Khero briefed the meeting on progress in the concrete lining of the KB Feeder, being undertaken as part of the K-IV water supply project. They outlined the expected water savings from improved conveyance capacity, the storage position at Keenjhar Lake and the availability of water resources.

Officials also presented the feasibility report on Kotri Barrage, highlighting its significance for long-term water management and conservation.

The meeting discussed how lining the KB Feeder could reduce water losses and improve the efficiency of the network supplying the K-IV project. Participants also stressed aligning the pace of work with Karachi's rising bulk water requirements.

Shah said addressing the city's water shortage required not only expanding infrastructure but also making more efficient use of existing resources. Reducing transmission losses and improving canal efficiency were essential to ensuring more water reached consumers, he added.

He directed the irrigation department and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation to closely monitor water levels at Keenjhar Lake, coordinate supply arrangements and base their planning on updated assessments of available resources.