A meeting of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB), was held under the chairmanship of its Vice Chairman, Haji Munawer Ali. Sindh Minister for Local Bodies, Agha Siraj Durrani also attended the meeting in the capacity of the Minister of Local Government.
The meeting reviewed various projects to improve the water supply and sewerage system and decided to improve the entire network. The meeting also decided to hold regular meetings of the board on monthly basis so as to improve efficiency and steps to implement projects of the board. It also decided to remove the bottlenecks in implementation of the projects of the KW&SB.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chairman of the Board, Haji Munawer Ali Abbasi said the Sindh government has allocated Rs 2.6 billion for the development projects of the Board. The meeting also approved the implementation of the raised tarrif of the board already approved by the previous meeting of the board.
It also decided that in connection with the appointment of the Chairman of KW&SB, Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah would be requested so that the constitution of the Board could be completed. Managing Director KW&SB, Misbahuddin Fareed presented different suggestions to improve the performance and resolve the problems which are being confronted by the Board. He also presented an overview about the impediments in completion of ongoing projects of the KW&SB.
The meeting also held detailed deliberations on elimination of the illegal water hydrants. Misbahuddin Fareed told the meeting that action has already been taken against more than 117 illegal hydrants and the same have been closed. He called for need to enact law for taking action against the persons involved in illegal water hydrants. Speaking on the occasion, Agha Siraj Durrani said a comprehensive strategy be devised with the co-ordination of all concerned quarters to initiate action against persons involved in illegal hydrants.
Different suggestions were also presented before the meeting with regard to payment of the bills of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC). In this connection, the meeting decided that the Board and KESC management would discuss the matter to settle it. The meeting also endorsed the approval to install 11 Reverse Osmosis Plants (ROPs) to overcome water shortage in Lyari and Kemari areas.
Later, talking to media, Agha Siraj Durrani told the newsmen that the meeting has made various decisions to resolve the problems being faced by the Board. He said the meeting also discussed the measures to improve water supply and sewerage system. Among other members of the board, the meeting was attended by Commissioner Karachi, Muhammad Hussain Syed, Additional Chief Secretary Development, Muhammad Ishaq Lashari, Secretary Local Government, Ali Ahmed and Secretary Industrial Development, Zamir Ahmed Khan.-PR