Work on much-required K-IV project of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has come to a complete halt as the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is unable to allocate 1200 cusecs of water quota, needed for the implementation of the project.
Officials of KWSB told Business Recorder on Friday that no progress has been made on the K-IV project. They said that IRSA has put the issue of allocation of 1200 cusecs or 650mdg of water on the head of Government of Sindh while the provincial government considered IRSA the authority responsible for the water allocation.
The officials said that the project feasibility report has already been prepared. They said that the project would be completed in 4 phases; with phase 1 would be constructed at a cost Rs 15 to 20 billion. They said that KWSB had proposed 130mdg of water in Phase 1 of the K-IV project. They further said that 1200 cusecs of water is nominal amount of water, as a much larger quantity of it is wasted into seas.
They said although the Water Board is constantly in negotiations with IRSA and the higher authorities, the lack of political will being shown is seriously dismantling progress of the project. The official informed much of water received under K-III is already being utilised, as the consumption is increasing and projects such as K-IV are required to overcome water shortage that the city would face in the near future, the official said.
The official also said that S-3 sewerage project is in designing stages, however, due to the lack of funds the project could be delayed. They said that under the project, the whole sewerage system of the city would be rehabilitated whereas; he said 4 wastewater treatment plants would be installed at Korangi, SITE and Maripur areas. They said that the sewerage water of Lyari river would be treated, which would then flow into the seas after treatment.
Officials said that the project would cost approximately Rs 15 billion and would be completed within 3 years. Regarding the working of other projects the official told that work is being carried out on "System Strengthening Project,". The project is part of K-III.