August 11, 2008	Monday	Sha’aban 8, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 10: The plan to launch the Korangi Treatment Plant with a projected capacity of 150 million gallons per day is in the doldrums as much of the land earmarked for the project has been allotted to some housing societies and builders.

It was in 1995 that the Board of Revenue had allotted a 465-acres piece of land for the plant and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) had raised a boundary wall around it with provision of gates to prevent the vicinity from being encroached upon. However, in the following years, the BoR allotted more than 350 acres of the land to some housing societies.

The ECNEC had approved Sewerage-3 (S-3) project with an estimated cost of Rs9 billion for the rehabilitation of the city’s sewerage system. The plan includes upgrading of the three existing treatments plants and setting up of the Korangi Treatment Plant, trunk sewerage system, etc.

The Korangi Treatment Plant, planned to be managed by the KWSB, was designed to ensure treatment of 150mgd domestic sewage discharged in Landhi, Korangi, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Manzoor Colony, Mehmoodabad and the adjoining areas.

At present, the sewage from these areas is released directly into the sea which not only causes environmental problems but creates hazards for the marine life.

According to sources, sewage containing toxic industrial waste is also disposed of into the sea without treatment in the absence of a treatment plan in the areas. The sewage makes its way into the sea through the domestic sewage system of Landhi and Korangi. The sewerage system, at present in a dilapidated condition, is also a source of contamination of piped drinking water and spread of gastroenteritis and other waterborne diseases, the sources say.

It is learnt that the treatment plant and other sewerage schemes could not be executed as yet because of the poor financial health of the KWSB until the ECNEC approved a comprehensive project. Now when the KWSB intends to start work on the Korangi Treatment Plant, it had learnt that much of the project’s land has already been allotted to some parties who have started construction activity on their respective lands.

A senior KWSB official speaking on condition of anonymity said that many letters had been sent to the BoR for the restoration of the plant’s 465-acre plot but the issue had remained unresolved so far.—PPI