HYDERABAD, Nov 28: Environmental experts and engineers have called for third party independent monitoring mechanism for establishment of four World Bank-funded grid stations of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco).

The consensus emerged at a public hearing of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), organised by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) at power wing office of Hesco here on Wednesday.

Sepa Director-General Abdul Malik Ghauri conducted proceedings of public hearing which received objections and observations over the four projects that would be constructed at a cost of $24 million out of total funding of $50 million as loan by the World Bank.

The grid stations will be located at Larkana, Kashmore, Tando Allahyar and Badin and are scheduled to complete in one year. The projects also envisage revamping of its transmission, besides achieving reliability and sustainability in avoiding outages.

After presenting his study report, Hesco’s consultant Umar Khalid answered question put forth by the participants. He also responded to queries and objections of officials of the Wildlife department, Environmental Protection Agency, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology and NED University of Engineering.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ghauri said that with the assistance of comments of stakeholders, the agency would be able to improve review process of EIA study report in which almost all issues pertaining to environment have been covered.

Chairman, board of directors, Hesco, Abdul Majeed Qazi, appreciated valuable inputs from participants regarding the project and said that their analysis would enable Hesco’s planning department to cover all aspects relating to environment to make the project people and environment-friendly.

Director of Environment Engineering Institute of MUET, Professor Abdur Rasheed Memon, spoke about mitigation measures plan and independent monitoring system of the project. He said that the aspect of corridor analysis should be given due consideration and that vegetation should not be affected.