KARACHI, Aug 14 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that water shortage in Karachi is one of the serious problems and that’s why his government has launched Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply K-IV project to provide 260 MGD water to the city on top priority.
“But this is not enough. I promise to launch K-IV phase-II on next August 14 to provide another 260 MGD to the residents and for the industrial growth,” he remarked.
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering organised to perform ground breaking ceremony of the Phase-I of K-IV water supply project at Super Highway on Sunday.
The ceremony was attended by Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad, provincial ministers, Nisar Khuhro, Jam Khan Shoro, Director General Rangers Sindh, Maj. Gen. Bilal Akbar, DG FWO Maj Gen Afzal, ACS (Development) Mohammad Waseem, MD KWSB Misbahuddin and others.
The Chief Minister said that when he was finance minister he had allocated enough funds for K-IV because it was an old project of 2007 but was kept on the back burner.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that “you [Karachiites] would have to face another water shortage in the next summer after that you would have enough water to beat the heat.”
He said that K-IV would be completed within two years and “without waiting for its completion I would start K-IV phase-II on next August 14 and again it would be started with FWO”.
It may be noted that K-IV is a Rs. 15.25 billion project, 50 percent cost of the project is being borne by the Federal government. The FWO would construct 75 kilometers gravity canal system, two pumping stations, four filtration plants and four storage lagoons. The water would be brought from Keenjhar Lake.
The Chief Minister thanked the Federal government for providing 50 percent cost of the project. “This is a big gift for the people of Karachi and I am giving it to my citizens today,” he said and thanked Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad for his efforts for this project.
He said that the Sindh government has given its land resources for the project. “I am thankful to the officers who worked hard to approve its plan,” he added.
He further said that a Rs.10 billion Karachi package has been launched, out of 19 schemes “we have approved 14 schemes so far and the approval of other schemes is in progress”.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the collective efforts of the Sindh government and the officers of water board.
He thanked FWO DG Maj Gen Afzal for starting the project with his commitment. “This project has delayed since long but finally now it has been launched.
He appreciated the efforts of law enforcement agencies, particularly of Rangers for restoration of peace in Karachi.
DG FWO Maj. Gen. Afzal in his speech highlighted the scope of K-IV project and vowed to complete it within two years.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad alongwith Senior Minister for Food Nisar Khuhro and Minister for Local government landed at the venue of ground breaking ceremony at Super Highway in a helicopter.
Just after landing they jointly unveiled the plaque to formally
perform ground breaking of the project.