CM lays foundation stone of new Dhabeji pumping station

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah claimed on Saturday that the law and order situation of Karachi had improved.

Laying the foundation stone of a new project for the supply of additional 100 million gallons a day of water from the Dhabeji Pumping Station near Thatta, the chief executive told the media: “We desire to allow every political party to function in accordance with the constitution and law of Pakistan.”

CM Shah said targeted operation in Karachi against lawless elements would continue until all the targets are achieved. Referring to the clash between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London activists and Rangers soldiers a day earlier in Azizabad, he said the law and order situation was under control. “We foiled the efforts of the people who had tried to cause unrest.”

He said the Sindh regime had lifted the ban on recruitments for government jobs, adding that employments were being provided on the basis of merit.

He said the provincial government of the Pakistan People’s Party had been trying to resolve the issues of the masses by expanding the scope and network of different development projects. One such project is the 100mgd additional water supply from the Dhabeji pumping station, he added.

He said the project for expanding the Dhabeji station’s capacity would help resolve the water shortage issue of the people of Karachi.

He added that the Sindh government would spend Rs1.43 billion on the project to expand the capacity of the pumping station.

The project would comprise six pumps for bulk water supply to Karachi. Four pumps would be made operational while two more pumps would remain on standby.

Shah said that apart from this, a number of other development projects had been initiated by his government, while Rs1.2 billion would be spent for repairs and restoration of old pumping stations of Dhabeji.

He directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) chief to complete all ongoing development projects pertaining to water utility by May 2017. He also directed Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro to support the efforts.

The CM said the provincial administration had been giving special attention to Karachi’s development, adding that a special package of Rs10 billion had been reserved for the city.

He said the first bulk water supply project at Dhabeji had been initiated in 1959, while the last such project on the same site was completed in 2006.

He also said the new project would be completed within one-and-a-half years, adding that the additional water would be drawn from the Keenjhar Lake. He directed the officials of the water board that the needs of the people of Dhabeji and the surrounding areas of Thatta should also be fulfilled.

He said the Sindh government had been spending millions of rupees on paying electricity bills so that Karachi receives uninterrupted water supply.

The chief executive said the government was planning to establish its own power plant at Dhabeji so that power needs of the pumping station could be fulfilled.

Shoro, who accompanied the CM, thanked Shah and other provincial authorities concerned for their all-out support for the new project and other similar development schemes.

He assured the CM that the water board and other municipal agencies of the city would continue to serve the people of the city.

KWSB chief Misbahuddin Farid said a pumping station would be built near the Hub Dam and it would cost Rs280 million.

He said steps initiated by the CM for improving the water supply situation would start bearing fruits within six months, adding that the provincial administration had provided Rs6 billion for building the K-IV Greater Karachi Water Supply scheme.