KARACHI: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) chairman (retired) Lt-Gen Sajjad Ghani on Thursday claimed that a number of key targets in the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, better known as the K-IV Project, had been achieved.

“Concerted efforts are being made to complete Phase-I of the project by June 2026. However, the prompt availability of the required funds is key to completing the project as per schedule,” he said while speaking to the project management during his visit.

The Wapda chief made a detailed visit to various work fronts to review the construction progress. These included the intake and pumping stations at Keenjhar Lake as well as the water conveyance system comprising pressurised pipelines being laid from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi.

The project team, along with the consultants and contractors, briefed the Wapda chairman on progress across all eight contracts, which include the intake, pumping stations, pipelines, water reservoirs and filtration facilities.

The chairman was informed that two critical activities i.e., inserting two water carrier pipelines in sleeve pipes at the main railway crossing and hydrostatic testing of the first 15km of the pipeline have recently been completed, while the second hydrostatic testing for another 25km single pipeline will be carried out in June.

Timelines for the remaining works, plans to achieve targets, financial progress and funding requirements were also discussed during the briefing. The cumulative physical progress of the project stands at 63 per cent. So far, Rs75.21 billion have been spent on the project, while the PC-I cost for Phase-I amounts to Rs126.4bn.

Underlining the importance of the K-IV Project for Karachi, the Wapda chairman directed the project team to accelerate construction activities to meet the deadlines.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2025