Baqar okays Rs17bn for development schemes in Karachi

Sindh caretaker chief minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar on Friday approved Rs16.8 billion for development projects in Karachi, and directed the provincial finance department to release the amount after completing the required formalities.

“I want to start some important schemes such as the 65 MGD additional supply scheme, TP-I and TP-III, the 10 MGD water supply scheme and such others so that work on water supply and treatment plants can be started,” said Baqar in a meeting at the CM House.

65 MGD

The meeting was told that the city has an approved water quota of 1,200 cusecs (650 MGD) from the Indus River, conveyed through the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). The existing bulk water supply system includes canals, conduits, pumping stations and filter plants for the transportation of water to the city.

The project aims at utilising the available 65 MGD capacity from the Keenjhar Gujjo Canal. Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said the project has an exclusive right of way that is available and has no encumbrance.

The meeting was told that the project is being started through public-private partnership but it is taking time. Baqar directed the planning & development department to approve the scheme within 10 days, and directed the finance department to release Rs4.5 billion so that work on the project can be started.

Water for SITE

The meeting was told that the SITE Industrial Area is one of the largest areas. Its water requirement is 50 MGD, against which only 1.63 MGD is being supplied to them.

They meet their water requirement from their internal distribution system that is linked with the KWSC network through seven bulk connections: Walika Hospital, SITE Post Office, Salika Industries, Tofique Paints, Paracha Roundabout, Brooke Bond and Gulbai.

Baqar directed the KWSC to improve its system by replacing its old lines and rehabilitating the Nazimabad pumping station so that at least 6 MGD water can be supplied to SITE. He approved Rs2.1 billion for supplying water to SITE Ltd.

Water for DHA

Baqar directed the KWSC to lay a 24-inch diameter dedicated 29km pipeline from Dumlottee to DHA to provide 10 MGD water to DHA. He said DHA is in dire need of water, so their water requirement must be met. He approved Rs2.1 billion for the laying of the 24-inch diameter line, and directed the KWSC to complete all the formalities and begin the work.

TP-I and TP-III

The meeting was told that due to the unprecedented inflation rates of 2014 for the capacity expansion of the sewerage treatment plants, they have been rendered unworkable. The KWSC proposed to descope the contracts for treatment.

The scope of works of TP-I may be reduced from 1,000 MGD to 35 MGD and TP-III from 180 MGD to 100 MGD. Baqar approved an amount of Rs5 billion to start the work, and directed the KWSC to get ready and start the project.