Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has constituted a committee headed by Minister for Local Government and Information Sharjeel Inam Memon with representation from all other stakeholder organisations and departments to examine/evaluate and identify the most economical and early implementable route for execution of greater Karachi bulk water supply schemes K-IV, Phase–I, designed to supply 260 MGD water to Karachi.
The committee has also assigned to recommend mode of supply of water either it to be through surface or sub-surface system. The committee also asked to evaluate the size and status of the land which was supposed to be acquired for the route (water way). The committee has been directed to engage consultants and engineers of KW&SB and submit the report within three days.
He directed this while presiding over meeting to discuss and decide the route for implementation on greater Karachi bulk water supply scheme K-IV, Phase-I, held at CM House. Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Advisor to CM for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah, Additional Chief Secretary for Planning and Development Muhammad Wasim, Secretary to CM Alamddin Bullo, Secretary to Finance Sohail Rajput, secretary to local government and others officers attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister disagreed the proposal placed by the management of KW&SB which was based on 124 km long water way and needs acquisition of 13,324 acres of land and 2 to 3 pumping stations to take the water from Kenjhar to Karachi and said that this proposal will not only consume funds more than its estimated cost.
The chief minister said that his government was giving priority to execute this most important scheme as soon as possible to resolve the problem of water shortage being experienced by the citizen of Karachi. He said it was because of his stand and efforts that the federal government agreed to share 50 per cent of total estimated cost of Rs 25.551 billion. He said though they had reserve initial amount of Rs 849 million but his government was ready to arrange more funds to get this scheme completed within three to four years.
The chief minister said that during the survey and study made earlier about nine routes were identified to bring the water from Kenjhar lake to Karachi under this scheme and asked the committee members to conduct the meeting, go through all proposed routes and identify the most economical and early implementable route. He asked the members of committee to engage the consultants and KW&SB engineers and submit the report in detail with route drawing and status, size of land and their recommendation for the mode of water supply.
Memon termed the schemes as important and stressed to undertake ways and means by which it can be implemented as soon as possible. Advisor to CM for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah also disagreed with the proposal submitted by the management of KW&SB stressed for re-visiting the route of the project.
Additional Chief Secretary Development Muhammad Wasim Khan while briefing the meeting said that this project had been conceived at its estimated cost of Rs 25.551 billion. It will be implemented in three phases, he said, adding that the first phase of this project was designed to carry 260 MGD which would be followed by second phase with same capacity while its third phase will take 130 MGD from Kenjhar to Karachi.
He said an allocation of Rs 849 million had been earmarked this year for this project. He said the Sindh government to share 50 per cent matching grant by the federal government. He said if work was started this year, the scheme could be completed within three to four years.