KARACHI, Jan 6: The first effluent treatment plant of the country at the Korangi Industrial Area has been completed at a cost of Rs492 million. This was stated by the chief executive of the Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP), Mr Tariq Ikram, while talking to reporters during his visit to Korangi Effluent Treatment Plant on Friday.

He said the plant had been completed in a period of six years, with the collaboration of the TDAP, the Pakistan Tanneries Association (PTA), the Dutch Government and the City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

The TDAP had contributed 68 per cent, PTA 20 per cent, Dutch Government eight per cent and the city government four per cent of the cost.

Mr Ikram pointed out that President Pervez Musharraf will perform inauguration of the plant in the second week of February.

The plant is able to treat the effluent sludge and solid waste of tanneries of Korangi Industrial Area by converting 10,000 million gallons or 42,000 cubic metre hazardous water into harmless water per day. About 26,000 cubic metre water of the city would also be treated in the plant at no cost.

Mr Ikram said that environmental compliance was as critical for Pakistan's image as the quality of export goods. The plant is working through UASB technology that is imported from a Dutch organisation operating in India.

A TDAP official said around 400 such plants were in operation in India. In Pakistan, 11 more such treatment plants are required to treat effluent.

Speaking about the efficacy of the plant, PTA president Gulzar Firoz said UASB process had been chosen after studying four technologies. UASB is the cheapest and best technology, he added.

About 70 per cent of power requirement of the plant is to be fulfilled by the plant itself which is generated by gas generators for which BioGas is accumulated by the treatment of waste.

The gas generators would start production of electricity to fulfil the required amount within six months.

The running cost of the plant is Rs50 million per annum and would be met by tanneries.

The plant is located at a distance of five kilometres from sea where the treated water is to be discharged. The sludge and solid waste from the effluent are disposed of at the cites designated by the city government. —APP