Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah addresses a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: NNI
KARACHI:
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday reviewed the progress made in major water supply projects in the metropolis, directing officials to speed up works and ensure timely release of funds to tackle the worsening water crisis.
The review was undertaken at a high-level meeting chaired by CM Shah and attended by Power Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah and senior officials of concerned departments.
The officials briefed the Chief Minister on various initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term and sustainable water supply for the metropolis, with special focus on Greater Karachi K-IV Bulk Water Supply Project. Under K-IV, Karachi is expected to receive 260 million gallons per day (MGD) of water from Keenjhar Lake. The project, executed by WAPDA since 2020, includes an advanced pressure pipeline system and extensive city expansion works currently underway.
CM Shah asked the authorities to immediately finalize the necessary financial mechanism to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the K-IV system. He was also informed of the three major reservoirs planned as part of the project expansion:
R-1 Reservoir (65 MGD): Expected to stabilize supply to Central, Eastern and Western districts, including Razzi Goth. R-2 Reservoir (130 MGD): Designed to meet the water needs of a large portion of the city.
Reservoir R-3 (65 MGD): Will enhance supply to the Western and Central corridors and support water flow to the Hub pumping station. The meeting was informed that the agreements for the K-IV network station and transmission lines have been finalized, while the Sindh cabinet has already approved the equity investment and loan financing for the project.
The officials also briefed the chief minister about lining of Kalri Baghar (KB) feeder canal, a vital part of securing water quota of K-IV. CM Shah directed the Irrigation Department to mobilize machinery and manpower in the limited construction window before the Kotri dam closes in December.
