Phase-I of K-IV project to complete in June 2026: Wapda chairman

LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has succeeded in achieving a number of key targets on Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV project).

WAPDA Chairman Engr. Lt-Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani said on Thursday concerted efforts were being made to complete phase-I of the project in June 2026.

However, prompt availability of the required funds is the key for completion of the project as per the schedule, he said during his visit to the project site.

He had a detailed visit of various work fronts to review construction progress. The work fronts included intake and pumping stations at Keenjhar Lake and water conveyance system comprising pressurised pipelines being laid from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi.

The project team, along with consultants and contractors, briefed the chairman about progress on all eight contracts including intake, pumping stations, pipelines, water reservoirs and filtration facilities.

Two critical activities i.e. inserting two water carrier pipelines in sleeve pipes at main railways crossing and hydrostatic testing on the first 15-km of the pipeline have recently been completed, while the second hydrostatic testing for another 25-km single pipeline would be carried out in June. Timelines for the remaining works and plans to achieve the targets as well as financial progress and requirement of funds were also discussed during the briefing.

Cumulative physical progress on the project is 63 per cent. Rs75.21 billion have so far been spent on the project, while PC-I of the project’s phase-I amounts to Rs126.4 billion. Underlining the importance of K-IV project for Karachi, the chairman directed the project team to speed up construction activities to meet the timelines. He also directed them to maintain close liaison with other stakeholders for timely arrangement of power supply by the Sindh government and augmentation of the water distribution system by Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC).

The K-IV project envisages to provide 650 million gallon per day (MGD) water to Karachi from Keenjhar Lake. The project is planned to be completed in two phases. At present, Wapda is constructing phase-I to supply 260 MGD water to Karachi. Phase-II, when implemented, will also augment another 390 MGD water to the system for Karachi.