KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM), Syed Murad Ali Shah, has said that the actual problem regarding water supply exists in Karachi because of its old distribution network.
He was presiding over a follow-up meeting for provision of safe drinking water in the province, here at the CM House. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, Manzoor Wassan, Dr Sikandar Mendhro, Jam Khan Shoro, Fayaz Butt, Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon and others.
Murad said that the water shortage in the city is not as acute as being propagated by Karachi Water and Sewage Board (KWSB). CM accused bureaucracy of misguiding politicians on the water issue from many years on water issue.
He said that the actual problem is inefficient water distribution system, especially rusted, defective, old and contaminated pipe lines.
Jam Khan Shoro told the meeting that there is a 1200km long water supply network in the city, and its replacement would cost about Rs200 billion.
Murad Shah that according to the new census conducted this year, the population of the city has risen to 16 million. As per the water board, the standard the water requirement is 800 Million Gallons per Day (MGD). However, he said that at present Karachi only receives 650 MGD, including 550 MGD from Keenjhar Lake and 100 MGD from Hub Dam.
CM stated that at the end of year 2018, K-IV water project would be providing 260 MGD with an addition of 65 MGD from another small scheme, which would add 325 MGD into the total water supply. The available water in the city would be 975 MGD against the requirement of 800 MGD, which would be enough for another three to four years, he explained.
He said the present water supply system is 80 to 100 years old. He directed the local government minister to “prepare a plan to replace it. “
Shoro told the meeting that the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (or HESCO) has asked the KWSB to pay Rs6 billion for the supply of 50 Mega Watts (MG) of electricity to the pumping stations of K-IV project at Keenjhar Lake. In response to that, the CM questioned that why does not the KWSB plan to install its own LNG-based or wind power plant of 50 MW, instead of paying Rs6 billion to HESCO?
He suggested that the KWSB should develop its own power plant of 50MW, and government would help in its funding.
He further asked to start a survey for the proposed 50MW power plant.
