KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information and Local Government Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that Karachi is facing severe water shortage as the availability of water in the metropolis is 550 million gallons per day (mgd) instead of its requirement of 1,000mgd.
The minister revealed this, while addressing a press conference after attending the meeting at Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB). Memon said that the provincial government has started taking steps to overcome the crisis and positive results are appearing in this regard.
Sharjeel Memon said that leaves of the KWSB employees have been cancelled till the month of Ramazan. He added that 22mgd water would also be enhanced within 24 hours at North East Karachi pumping station as the disordered machine has now been repaired.
Memon said in the past, slow progress was made on K-4 water project but since he assumed the ministry, the work on the project has fastened. “Around 13,500 acres of required land has been provided to the water board. A consultant would be appointed for the project, which will be inaugurated in the ongoing month,” he said.
He informed that metres have been installed at 18 main supply lines of water board, adding that 24 more metres would be installed at other supply lines within a month, which would help reduce water theft and its leakage.
Memon said that 1,000 free water tanker services would start from Monday (today), which would provide free service to the affected areas where acute water shortage has been reported. “Free tankers service of 1,000 tankers is being provided to areas, including Baldia Town, Surjani, Naw Karachi, Orangi Town, Metroville, SITE and Kemari. The Sindh chief minister has approved special grant of Rs 160 million for four months for this purpose. By the end of Ramazan, it will reach up to 3,000 tankers,” he added.
