KWSB demands Rs 15bn for K-IV project

KARACHI: Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) is seeking Rs15 billion for the execution of bulk water supply project K-IV for 150 million MGD (million gallons per day) water supply to the city.

Managing Director, KWSB, Misbah Uddin Farid while speaking at the luncheon meeting of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) said that the quota of 1,200 cusecs from Indus source has exhausted and the city needs additional quota form Indus to meet Karachi's demand and the government needs to implement the project on priority otherwise Karachiites would be facing another crisis besides electricity and other utilities.

MD KWSB, said that 150 MGD additional water supply through K-IV is being planned and this project would cost Rs15 billion.

He warned that if the additional quota from Indus source would not be issued at the earliest the city would be facing acute shortage of water.

He informed that KWSB is facing severely short of funds as it needs Rs1 billion monthly to provide uninterrupted supply of water to the city while its actual recovery is almost half of the expense.

Former Chairman, KATI, Mian Zahid Husain promised on behalf of industrialists to take up the matter of K-IV project and release of Rs15 billion with the federal government.

Misbah said that KWSB would demand Rs2.5 billion from Karachi Building Control Authority as against arrears. He further mentioned that KWSB would be carrying out operation against illegal connections starting from Banaras Colony from Wednesday.

He informed the industrialists that KWSB is supplying water from Dhabeji Pumping Station and Korangi Industrial Area (KIA) comes in end. He added that due to illegal connections and hydrants besides tail-end is facing water shortage. He said that KWSB is not in apposition to revamp or restructure its installations. He however, assured the KATI members to improve water supply to KIA.

He pointed out that tanker Mafia and illegal connections in 'katchi abadis' is the major reason for disruption of water supply to the KIA especially Sector 7-A.

He said that encroachments along the National Highway are increasing at a fast pace while too many farm houses also sprung up due to which water theft is increasing at alarming rate and would gradually hamper the water supply to Karachi.

Patron In-chief, KATI, S M Muneer said in his address that water supply to the industry is inevitable as without industrial growth country's economy in no way can survive as it generates revenue to the government's functionaries and provide employment to the masses. He said that country's economy is already on the downslide and if the situation persist Pakistan's sovereignty would be put at stake. He said that ruling parties are better to shun their confrontation if they want Pakistan's sovereignty.

He asked KWSB MD to provide water to KIA Sector 7-A on priority basis as water crisis in tannery zone has crossed all proportions.

Chairman, KATI, Johar Ali Qandhari has pointed out in his welcome address that many industries in KIA are meeting their water demand through tanker service and the KATI had requested KWSB to provide 50 tankers to the KIA but this demand is yet to be met. He pointed out lack of coordination between various KWSB departments due to which problems of the consumers are increasing. He demanded of the KWSB to open up a KWSB cell at KATI's office to make better coordination between KWSB and industry.

Senator, Abdul Haseeb Khan, Former Chairman, KATI, Mian Zahid Husain and Chairman, Standing KATI, Niaz Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.