LAHORE: Some serious technical issues have been identified as main hurdles in the completion of the Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme (K-IV project) and in the prevailing situation, the project cannot move ahead without resolving these issues.

However, after consulting stakeholders, Wapda has decided to conduct a detailed study of the project to resolve these problems.

These facts were revealed after Wapda chairman retired Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain visited the project along with a technical team comprising senior engineers having experience in project implementation.

Relevant officials accompanied him.

The Wapda chairman and his team visited the K-IV intake located at Keenjhar Lake in Thatta.

On the occasion, the K-IV project director, Sindh government, briefed them about the current status of the project, highlighting problems in the way of the scheme’s construction.

The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) project manager informed the team about construction-related progress achieved so far on the project whereas the consultants’ director gave a detailed briefing about the issues hampering the project.

Later, the Wapda chairman and the project officers also had an aerial view along with alignment of the project.

“It was concluded during the visit that the K-IV Project has serious technical issues related to its design, route and functionality. Therefore, the project cannot proceed ahead without resolving these issues. The Wapda team will compile a detailed report highlighting the major issues confronting the project and their possible solutions. Thereafter, a way forward will be determined to proceed further on the project,” a press release, issued by a Lahore-based Wapda spokesperson on Friday, says.

The K-IV project envisages to supply 260 million gallons per day of water to Karachi in phase-I.

The project was earlier being undertaken by the Sindh government, however, the federal government, under an arrangement with the provincial government, has now taken up the implementation of the project as part of the prime minister’s package for Karachi and directed Wapda to take over the implementation responsibilities of the scheme.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2020