KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has ordered release Rs 120 million for new electric cabling of five major pumping stations of Karachi Water Sewerage Board (KWSB) to ensure uninterrupted operation of the pumping stations.
“The funds are being released for KWSB only in the interest of Karachiites to resolve water supply issues”, he said while presiding over the 5th meeting of KWSB here Saturday.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui, MD KWSB Hashim Raza Zaidi, Secretary Local Government Imran Atta Soomro and other senior officers of the KWSB.
The Managing Director KWSB briefed the meeting about the water supply situation through tankers service. He said the areas where water tankers are sent free of cost include Baldia, Orangi, Metrovile, Surjani, New Karachi, Lyari Town, Keamari, Sikanderabad, Moach Goth, Grax and some other areas.
MD Water Board apprised the Chief Minister that the 45-year-old electric cables of five major pumping stations at Dhabeji usually caused problems and requested to release Rs 120 million for replacement of those cables for proper functioning of the pumping stations to help minimise the supply and demand gap.
On this the Chief Minister ordered the Chief Secretary to release the required funds immediately.
The MD Water Board further said that water supply situation has considerably improved in the city. “We have repaired all the pumping stations and K-electric was extending full cooperation and has declared the pumping stations as zero load-shedding areas. However, we have developed a valve system and providing water on rotation basis.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the people of Karachi to use water carefully and wisely. “I would request you (Karachiites) not to waste water. We are trying our best to utilise available resources to provide water to our people, but it becomes your responsibility to cooperate with us.” the CM urged.
He also appealed to political organisation that water is a basic need; therefore it may be kept out of politics so that the concerned officers could concentrate on the issue and resolve it properly.
On the directive of the Chief Minister the KWSB appointed its Chief Engineer E&M Noor Ahmed as focal person on Naegleria and Chlorine.
