Cleaning, repair of watercourses: Sindh CM directs LG depts to devise a plan

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the local government (LG) department to workout a detailed plan for desilting, cleaning and repair of nullas, and natural storm water drains so that funds could be released in time.

"I want all the DCs, local bodies and water boards be taken on board while envisaging a rain emergency plan so that full and final action could be taken."

This he said while presiding over a rain emergency meeting here at the CM House. The meeting was attended by Minister Local Government Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, PSCM Sajid Jamal Abro, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shahalwani, Secretary Local Government Roshan Shaikh, Secretary Finance Hassan Naqvi, MD Water Board Asadullah Khan and other concerned. The divisional commissioners and local bodies' representatives, mayors/chairmen joined the meeting through video link.

Mayor Karachi told chief minister that he was facing financial shortfall to carry out de-silting of nullas. At this the chief minister advised the mayor to enhance KMC financial resources, however, the Sindh government would cover up the shortfall and finance de-silting of nalas. The chief minister directed Secretary Local Government Roshan Shaikh to send him financial requirements through secretary finance. "You have to move a summary today so that timely action can be taken," he said.

Shah said that $11 million World Bank project was in pipeline and most probably it would start within the next four months under which almost all the major nullahs of Karachi would be lined. "We would construct fencing around the nullahs so that no encroachment could take place," he said and added almost all the newly constructed major roads of the city have storm water drains along with them, therefore, he was sure that rain water would be disposed in gravity, if their concerned nullahs in which they [drains] discharge were cleaned and de-silted.

It was pointed out that some civil works of different nullahs in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur were required. The secretary local government told the CM that he has taken all the concerned deputy commissioners on board and sent a summary of Rs229 million for the chief minister.

The chief minister directed the Mayor and Commissioner Karachi to work out a plan to avoid Saadi Town like situation of last year. He directed Mayor Karachi to expedite on-going work on Mehran nala so that it may not over flow again and create havoc in Saadi Town.

Shah also directed Commissioner Karachi to coordinate with K-Electric authorities for proper and uninterrupted power supply to the pumping stations of the Karachi water board.

The meeting decided that all the deputy commissioners would generate their requirement of suction machines, generators, pipes etc and send the same to PDMA so that they could arrange accordingly.

It was also decided that hoardings, unnecessary cables and such other display boards would be removed before commencement of the monsoon.

Hyderabad: Commissioner Hyderabad told the chief minister that Rs70 million were required for the rain emergency of WASA and HESCO. Under the planned works, seven nullahs would be desilted, cleaned and repaired.

The chief minister said that he would release funds in the first week of July, however, he directed the commissioner to start work.

The chief minister said that work on all the seven nullahs must be started at once. He said that Hesco has to be prepared to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the pumping machines of WASA so that rain water could be disposed of. He directed the commissioner Hyderabad to ensure repair and maintenance of the generators and pumping machines available with deputy commissioner and others department so they could be used in case of emergency.

It was pointed out that the WASA has some issues of payment of power bills and need extra staff. AT this the chief minister directed Minister Local Government Syed Nasir Shah to visit Hyderabad and address all their outstanding issues.

Shaheed Benazirabad: The chief minister was told that low-lying areas have been identified where mostly rain water accumulates. De-silting of nalas and natural drains have been started and almost 70 percent work has been done. AT this the chief minister directed Shaheed Benazirabad administration to speed the work as the monsoon was approaching fast.

It was pointed out that a good stock of dewatering pumps were available with the district administration of Shaheed Benazirabad division.

Mirpurkhas: The chief minister directed Commissioner Mirpurkhas to focus on cleaning of municipal and town committees nalas and sewerage system. As far as rain water was concerned, the chief minister said that natural drains kept flowing in gravity. He directed the irrigation department to clear areas around the LBOD for proper flow of rainwater.