Chief Minister (CM) Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that water shortage in Karachi is one of the serious problems, therefore his government has launched Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply K-IV project to provide 260 MGD water to the city on top priority basis. He further said, "But this is not enough I would promise to launch K-IV phase-II on next August 14 to provide another 260 MGD to the residents and for the industrial growth."
This he said while addressing a ceremony organised in connection with performing ground breaking ceremony of K-IV at Super Highway Karachi on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad, provincial ministers, Nisar Khuhro, Jam Khan Shoro, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, DG FWO Major General Afzal, ACS (dev) Mohammad Waseem, MD Water Misbahuddin and others.
Murad Ali Shah 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. The former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had also given special attention to this project. "We all; Sharjeel Memon, the former local government minister and Jam Khan Shoro, the sitting local government minister and the water board had decided to award K-IV project to FWO," he said and added "the [former] chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah relaxed SPPRA rules and had allowed the award of the contract to FWO because we all believe in your (FWO) work."
The Sindh CM said that "you [people of Karachi] would have to face another water shortage in the next summer after that you would have enough water to beat the heat," he vowed saying 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," he assured.
It may be noted that K-IV is Rs15.25 billion project, 50 percent cost of the project is being borne by 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 Kinjhar Lake.
Murad Ali Shah thanked the federal government for providing 50 percent cost of the project. "The former CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah was determined to complete K-IV project even if federal government had refused to release its share," he recalled. "This is a big gift for the people of Karachi and I am giving it to citizens today, he said and thanked Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad for his efforts for this project.
He said that the Sindh government has given its land, resources for the project and "I am thankful to the officers who worked hard to approve its plan," he said and added that a Rs10 billion Karachi package has been launched, out of 19 schemes we have approved 14 schemes so far and the approval of other schemes was in progress.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the collective efforts of the Sindh government and the officers of water board. He thanked FWO DG Major general 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 Major General Afzal in his speech highlighted the scope of the K-IV project and vowed to complete it within two years.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad along with 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 performed ground breaking of the project, K-IV.
Earlier, on Sunday morning the chief minister started his day with flag hoisting at Mazar-e-Quaid where an impressive ceremony was organised. The CM along with his cabinet members reached at Mazar where they received Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.
The Governor and the CM laid floral wreath on the Mazar of founder of nation and paid him rich tribute by offering fateha and recording their views on the struggle of great leader in the visitor's book. The cabinet members, senior bureaucrats, including chief secretary Siddique Memon, IGP AD Khwaja and others were also with the Governor.
Comments
Comments are closed.