KARACHI: A World Bank delegation led by task team leader Bilal Khalid visited several development sites in Sindh’s Badin this week. It called for prompt operationalisation of key infrastructure projects designed to improve emergency response, water access and rural connectivity.
During an inspection of the newly constructed Rescue 1122 district headquarters in Badin, Khalid directed that the facility, now fully complete, be handed over without delay to Emergency Service 1122. The centre, built on a 36,000-square-foot plot with a covered area of 14,430 square feet including office and residential space, is intended to provide emergency support in cases of health crises, fire and road accidents across the district.
The World Bank team also reviewed the rehabilitated water supply scheme in Kario Ghanwar, Taluka Shaheed Fazil Rahu. Officials informed the delegation that water storage was previously suspended after heavy rains severely damaged ponds, forcing local residents to rely on contaminated water. The scheme, now restored with a storage capacity of 1.5 million gallons, aims to provide uninterrupted water supply to approximately 14,000 residents across 2,000 households.
Separately, the delegation inspected an 11-kilometre rural road connecting Peeru Lashari village to Machari village, serving a population of around 25,000. Officials briefed the team that the road level was elevated by one metre to safeguard against future flooding, with two-metre-wide shoulders added on both sides to enhance traffic flow. The improved connectivity is expected to support local economic activity by facilitating farm-to-market transport.