KARACHI: The Supreme Court-mandated judicial commission on water and drainage on Monday directed K-Electric to remove the cables running on traffic islands and footpaths in the city.

The commission, headed by retired Justice Amir Hani Muslim, expressed serious reservations over the power utility not relocating the electric cables passing over storm-water drains and footpaths.

At the last hearing, the commission had directed the chief executive officer of KE to appear before court regarding removal of electric cables passing over nullahs. Advocate Abid Zuberi turned up on behalf of the power utility and submitted a report regarding removal of cables from nullahs.

However, Justice Muslim asked him to assist the commission instead of defending the KE, adding that the commission would not acknowledge cosmetic changes.

He deplored that cables were running over nullahs, footpaths along Sharea Faisal and other public spaces, not only hindering local authorities in carrying out cleaning and anti-encroachment drives, but also creating obstruction to public movement.

The former apex court judge also expressed displeasure over the reply of the power utility in response to a letter of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) regarding relocation of cables.

The KE counsel assured the commission that these cables would be removed/cured starting from Sharea Faisal.

Judicial commission reminds industrialists to install pre-treatment plants at their units by May 2

However, the commission ruled that this exercise would not be confined to Sharea Faisal, but extend to the entire city.

Meanwhile, the commission also expressed resentments over the power utility for disconnecting the supply of a reverse osmosis (RO) plant.

The counsel for KE argued that action was taken over non-payment of bills since December. However, the former judge of the Supreme Court said that the management of the RO plant was not responsible for the payments.

A government official admitted that it was the liability of the Sindh government to clear the dues and assured the commission that the payments would be made soon. Subsequently, the court directed the KE to restore power supply to the RO plant.

Subsoil water policy

Managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Khalid Mahmood Shaikh submitted the copy of subsoil water policy, which requires approval of the government.

Local government secretary Ramzan Awan said he had seen the draft and made certain suggestions, adding that it would be finalised in a day and processed for approval of the competent authority.

Responding to a query of the commission, he said it would be done within two weeks.

In the intervening period, the commission ruled that the KWSB would begin regulating the subsoil water issue in terms of the proposed policy.

However, the local government secretary said theft of water may not be necessarily linked with the subsoil water policy and the KWSB may take action against theft of water immediately without waiting for the approval of the policy.

The commission directed the KWSB MD to take stern action against those involved in tampering with the main water lines, and theft.

Shifting filter plant in Sehwan

The commission directed the authorities concerned to shift a water filter plant from Bubak to Sehwan city within a week to provide potable water to the locality.

Justice Muslim observed that the residents of Bubak were not being deprived since the capacity of other filter plants would cater to the needs of the area.

He warned the chairman of the Sehwan municipal committee and others to be careful as far as the supply of water and sanitation in Sehwan was concerned, adding that either the commission would personally visit or through its member verify if any improvement had been brought in the situation.

SSWMB asked to hold meeting

The commission directed the chairman of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) to call its meeting within two weeks to get feedback on the working of the SSWMB from the ex-officio members.

Earlier, Dr Farogh Naseem, representing the city mayor, pointed out that Section 4 of the SSWMB Act consisted of the board, adding that the chairman had called some meetings of the board, but not regularly.

The commission also issued notices to the district municipal corporations and the contractors for May 14. It also took serious notice over the absence of the SSWMB DG and directed him to ensure his presence on May 2.

Meters at pumping stations

When the commission asked the KWSB MD about its previous orders about installation of meters at pumping stations to improve water distribution system, he replied that a summary had been floated.

However, the local government secretary said that after the restrictions of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the summaries of that nature could not be approved by the competent authority (chief minister).

The commission directed the competent authority to approve the summary subject to the approval of the election commission as the water commission would approach the chief election commissioner for relaxation in the restriction for the issue of installation of meters which had direct bearings on the water distribution plan in Karachi.

Treatment plants

The commission sought a detailed report from the counsel for industrialists regarding the steps taken for installing the pre-treatment plants at the industrial units till May 2.

The counsel said it was an uphill task, adding that some industrialists had contacted the vendors for the purpose, but it would take sufficient time. The commission said that they had to enforce its orders by July.

Illegal construction

A resident of the Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society (PECHS) informed the commission that despite its earlier orders, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) was allowing illegal construction in the area.

The commission directed the DG SBCA to file a report on Tuesday and warned that if he was found allowing illegal construction, consequences will follow and he will be personally held responsible.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2018

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