Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has released Rs 120 million for new cabling of five major pumping stations of KWSB to ensure uninterrupted operation of the pumping stations. “I am releasing funds for KWSB only in the supreme interest of people of Karachi.”
He said this while presiding over 5th meeting of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) here at CM House Saturday. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqi, MD KWSB Hashim Raza Zaidi, Secretary Local Government Imran Atta Soomro and other senior officers of the KWSB.
The chief minister in his opening remarks said he was worried about the problem of Karachiites. “Water is life and I am committed to make it easier for the people of Karachi and that’s why I have released Rs 120 million grant to provide free of cost water tankers to the water-starved areas of the city,” he said, and directed the MD KWSB Hashim Raza Zaiadi to brief him about the progress of water supply in the city.
The MD said the funds released to provide water tankers in the city were being utilised sagaciously. “You have released funds for 1000 tankers daily but water supply system has improved considerably, therefore, there is a demand of only 700 tankers daily,” he said.
Replying to a question of the chief minister, Mr Zaidi said the minister of local government had constituted committees under concerned deputy commissioners who in consultation with elected representatives of the areas and civil society members send free water tankers in the area. “This is transparent, based on need basis irrespective of any discrimination,” he assured.
He said the areas where water tankers were sent free of cost include Baldia, Orangi, Metrovile, Surjani , New Karachi, Najam Alam, Lyari Town, Kiamari, Sikanderabad, Moach Goth, Grax and such other related areas. On this, the chief minister directed the MD water board to enhance the free water tanker network even to the areas where KWSB has no water supply system. The commissioner said he was personally monitoring the system and all the areas were being covered. “Apart from it water tankers are given to mosques, public tanks and stadium tanks from where people take away water to their homes,” he elaborated.
