KARACHI, Nov 1: The provincial government will undertake a Rs2.307 billion mega project to provide an additional 700 cusecs water to Karachi for human consumption and agriculture.

This was stated by Irrigation Secretary Mohammad Hashim Leghari while presiding over a meeting here on Friday to discuss the project. The additional supply is to be made from Keenjhar Lake in three phases and the project is to be completed in six years.

Mr Leghari said the project included upgradation of Keenjhar Lake, expansion of Kalari-Baghar feeder system and improvement in security arrangements for both the facilities.

He was of the view that a beefed-up security for Keenjhar Lake would not only ensure an unhindered supply to Karachi but would also encourage tourism in the country.

The project, he added, would help bring 20,000 acres of land in Karachi and Thatta under cultivation and more water would be available for the industries and fisheries sectors.

Mr Leghari pointed out that Rs430.643 million had been allocated for the first phase, which would begin in the year 2002-2003 and complete in 2003-2004.

The second phase, spanned over 2004-2005 to 2005-2006, would get Rs729.145 million while the third phase would be completed between 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 at a cost of Rs1.151 billion.

The Secretary Irrigation said another project of Rs50 million for the repair of Kalari-Baghar Feeder, desilting, levelling of canals had already been prepared by the government.

He asked the concerned engineers to undertake repairing and cleaning works on Kalari-Baghar feeder and link canals.

He said a study was also prepared to expand the existing canal which was supplying water to Karachi to handle this additional water.

He said Karachi had been facing an acute shortage of water for a long time and completion of this project would solve this problem.

Additional Secretary Irrigation Khadim Husain Memon and Chief Engineer Izhar Ahmed Khan also attended the meeting.

WIND ENERGY: Meanwhile, the Irrigation Secretary has directed the power wing of the department to prepare a comprehensive programme for the introduction of the wind energy technology.

He said that the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility would extend assistance for the programme.

He directed the department to initiate a pilot project in this respect and initially select a village comprising of at least 15 houses for the purpose.

This should gradually be increased to a village with 30 to 50 houses.

For the time being, he added, the project be initiated in a coastal area of Karachi or Thatta.

The secretary also instructed that concept papers and feasibility report of the project be prepared and contact be established with other departments.

He directed the officials that field reports for the small and mega projects be also prepared.

The secretary said that wind data be collected from the stations of the Met office in the province.

He called for carrying out a comprehensive study of wind resource assessment, data analysis, determination of project site, technical training of local staff, baseline load demand assessment and environmental impact assessment.

Mr Leghari said a village in a coastal area located away from high tension line be selected for the project and after its completion it be transferred to the local community on a permanent basis so that the people be responsible for its maintenance.

The secretary was informed that the cost of installation of wind energy power generation was comparatively costly but if installed as a mega project its production cost would be 70 to 80 paisas KWH, which is much less in comparison to hydel generation’s Re1 to Rs1.5 and oil fired plants’ Rs4.50.—APP