Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: NNI
KARACHI:
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday reviewed the progress of key water supply projects for the metropolis and directed officials to expedite work and ensure timely release of funds to address the worsening water crisis.
The review was held 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 relevant departments.
The officials briefed the Prime Minister on various initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term and sustainable water supply for the metropolis, with special focus on K-IV Bulk Water Supply Project in Greater Karachi. According to 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 pressurized pipeline system and extensive expansion works in the city currently underway.
CM Shah directed the authorities to immediately finalize the financial mechanism required to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the K-IV system. He also received updates on three major reservoirs planned under the project expansion:
R-1 Reservoir (65 MGD): Expected to stabilize supply in Central, Eastern and Western districts including Razzi Goth. R-2 Reservoir (130 MGD): Designed to meet the water needs of a large part of the city.
R-3 Reservoir (65 MGD): Will strengthen supply in the western and central corridors and support water flow to the Hub pumping station. The meeting was informed that agreements for K-IV network station and transmission lines have been finalized while the Sindh cabinet has already approved capital investment and loan financing for the project.
The officials also briefed the prime minister on the lining of the Kalri Baghar (KB) feeder canal, a critical component in securing K-IV water quota. CM Shah directed the Irrigation Department to mobilize machinery and manpower within the limited construction period before the closure of Kotri Barrage in December.
