KWSB chief told to explain why he ignored judicial body’s orders

Commission seeks reason for lack of implementation on recommendations for laying new pipelines and revamping old water distribution infrastructure

A judicial commission on water and sanitation directed the chief of the water utility on Saturday to explain why he had failed to implement the body’s recommendations with regard to laying new pipelines and revamping old water distribution infrastructure across the city.

The commission headed by Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro was informed by Planning & Development (P&D) Secretary Shoaib Siddiqui that a meeting of all stakeholders had deliberated over building projects to treat effluents before dumping them into rivers and the sea, but the conference had failed to make a final decision.

The projects include construction of the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD), five combined effluent treatment plants (CETPs) and the S-III sewerage project.

The managing director of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) informed the judicial body that 330 million gallons per day (mgd) of chlorinated water was being supplied to the people on a daily basis, though it was mixed with unchlorinated water in the process ahead.

The KWSB chief also told the commission that the quantity of 250mgd of chlorinated water being supplied had been increased to 330mgd.

He said rehabilitation work on filter plants was in full swing, adding that chlorinated and filtered water would be supplied to the citizens shortly.

However, the KWSB chief was unable to satisfy the commission as to why the treatment plants TP-I and TP-III had not been made functional by the deadline issued by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Dr Fazlullah Pechuho told the judicial body that incinerators had not been installed at all public hospitals, but the government was in the process of installing them at the earliest.

He assured the commission that they would ensure that all the private hospitals and laboratories enforced the hospital waste management rules. — PPI

News Desk adds: On May 6, the body had directed the federal and provincial governments to remove hurdles in resuming work on the RBOD, the CETPs and the S-III project.

P&D Chairman Mohammad Waseem and Secretary Siddiqui told the commission about the stand-off between the federal and Sindh governments with regard to the important projects.

They said both parties had a contrary stance regarding financial liability of the schemes, but they agreed to convene a meeting to reach an amicable solution and assured the commission that the outcomes of the consultation would be presented on May 20.

Representatives of public and private hospitals had submitted their reports on implementation of the hospital waste management rules and provision of potable water at the health facilities.

The health department’s representative also sought a week’s time to submit a detailed report. Taking the hospitals’ report on record, the commission ordered them to take action against officials responsible for any possible violations.

Petitioner Shahab Usto said the health department was yet to implement the court’s order regarding installation of incinerators at public hospitals.

The KWSB chief had submitted a progress report on measures to improve the quality of water and said 345mgd of water had been chlorinated and assured the commission that the water quality would be improved. The commission directed him to submit a progress report on rehabilitation of treatment plants TP-I and TP-II and inform the body if they were made functional.