THATTA: Sindh government has approved Rs8.5 billion for the execution of the phase-II of the 31-kilometre-long coastal highway project which had been in the doldrums for many years.

The phase-II of this gigantic project is stretched between the town of Buhara and the tail-end settlements in Keti Bundar, which touches Arabian Sea.

Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, the MPA from PS-78 Thatta, has disclosed that following the government’s approval, tenders had been invited from interested parties for the expeditious completion of the project.

Speaking to Dawn, he recalled that the project had been designed way back in 2010, i.e. a few months before the super floods hit Sindh and caused widespread devastation besides casualties in many areas of the province, especially those situated along the coastal belt. After remaining on the back burner for a couple of years, work on its phase-I — stretched between Buhara and Hargenia Salt near Bhanbhore towards National Highway — was completed. However, the phase-II could not be started until many years due to one reason or the other.

Initiated in 2010, its completion had been in doldrums till date, says MPA Haji Hassan Zardari

The need for this coastal highway was felt as sea intrusion was constantly eating away lands and causing damage to settlements of fishermen along the coastal belt between Zero Point in Badin and Ali Bundar. Also, the entire coastal belt and the population of Thatta, Badin and Sujawal have remained exposed to natural disasters, like cyclonic activity and floods. Besides, one of the main objectives covered by the project was to help promote agriculture and support the diminishing business of fishing in the deltaic region.

Haji Ali Hassan Zardari has been instrumental in the revival of the abandoned phase of the project as, according to him, it is vital to protect the life, property and livelihood of the entire population of Sindh’s coastal areas. After completion, it would contribute heavily to the provincial exchequer as well through enhanced tourism, he believes.

He pointed out that the people of Thatta, right from Bhanbhore Creek to Mirpur Sakro, Keti Bundar, Kharo Chaan, Ghorabari, Shah Bundar, Jati; and those from Zero Point Badin to Ali Bundar had always remained vulnerable to natural disasters but after completion of this coastal highway project, they would be saved from eventualities like sea intrusion, massive inundation of their settlements and villages etc.

The adequate supply of potable water to the population of coastal villages would also be possible as the project would provide for a fast and easy means of transportation.

Recounting other benefits of the project, he said the coastal highway would enable rescuers to respond quickly to those trapped in floods, storms in sea, capsizing of boats or some other such happenings.

Moreover, the rescued people could be rushed to hospitals for emergency treatment to save their lives, he added.

MPA Zardari said that mangroves forests and better farming environment, would help grow fodder and feed for rare camels of this area and good conditions to develop natural nurseries of fish and shrimp along the coastal belt.

Highlighting the importance of mangroves forests, MPA Zardari recalled that Pakistan had recently made a world record by growing mangroves on millions of acres and Thatta has the distinct to have grown them on its vast lands to protect local population and its settlements from natural disasters, including floods.

He recalled that a study conducted a few years ago had warned that the coastal districts of Thatta and Badin might vanish from the map by 2050 due to sea intrusion and nature-related factors. He said the mangroves forests and other development projects being executed now would help avert catastrophic happenings.

He said the coastal highway project would also greatly help promote tourism as local and foreign tourists would not only have an easy and fast access to numerous historical and heritage sites across this region but would also experience all related facilities of international standards to be put in place in near future.

The project would provide an easy access for their catch to market, he added.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2023