Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Tuesday assured Sindh Water Commission (SWC) that it would ensure enhancement of capacity of the proposed Treatment Plant-V (TP-V) from 60 MGD to 100MGD in two phases within two years after its installation.
One-man judicial commission (SWC) headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim (retd) took up the issue of TP-V. The SWC was informed that under its directives, its focal person for Karachi issues Asif Hyder Shah has held consultation with stakeholders including KPT, Board of Revenue (BoR) Government of Sindh and other relevant authorities.
During the proceedings, KPT and BoR submitted their reports. The commission was informed that a joint survey was carried out by the BoR's Settlement Department and State KPT's Department, which revealed that out of 124-31 acres of the land earmarked / identified for Treatment Plant TP- V, 111-20 acres of land is free from superstructure.
Of this, 62-00 acres land is claimed to have been allotted to private individuals in exchange by BoR Sindh and 6-00 acres of land has been reserved for NAB officials' colony. However, according to the Member (LU) no payment has been made by NAB. Besides, some allottees of Sindh Government have approached the Courts as well. There is also litigation pending between KPT and BoR and NLC as well on the issue of title.
The SWC was told that KPT and the BoR Sindh agree that they would not contest the claim of the title over 124-31 acres of land as admittedly, the proposed land is the state property and is being utilized for the benefit of the public at large.
The commission directed KPT to provide concept paper/schematic design to the Member Land Utilization (LU), who in turn, would float a Summary incorporating the earlier order of the commission passed with consent of the parties and the present order so that the competent Authority may consent to earmark the land measuring 124-31 acres for proposed TP-V.
It directed KPT to utilize the bare minimum area for TP-V and the remaining land to be used for mangroves only, in consultation with Forest Department. The SWC observed that public would benefit from the Treatment Plant and mangroves vegetation would flourish, which in turn would give healthy marine life and minimize the contamination in entire seashore. This step would further have a positive impact on export by the fishing market Pakistan and would provide safe berthing infrastructure to the shipping industries which were being affected because of contamination.
The SWC further stated that on receipt of the concept paper, the requisite summary may be floated forthwith and all the codal formalities shall be completed by both the stakeholders. It allowed one week time requested by the KPT's Manager Marine Pollution Control Department to submit the concept paper. It said that on receipt of this paper, Member Land Utilization shall float the requisite summary for approval of the understanding reached between the KPT and the Board of Revenue.
In the intervening period, the KPT shall also start its feasibility study. The KPT has also given assurance to enhance the capacity of the proposed Treatment Plant from 60 MGD to 100 MGD in two phases within two years. As far as litigation part is concerned, according to Member (LU), prima facie the possession of land was never given to the allottees as the possession is with the KPT.