KARACHI, Feb 19: Blue prints of two foreign-funded water purification/ desalination plants, to be set up to overcome water shortage at Site, have been finalized and construction work is likely to begin soon.

All documentary procedures of one of the plants, being funded by Malaysia, have been completed for which the provincial ministry of industries has already granted permission. The plant would be built at TP-1 on 45 acre by replacing its old and obsolete machinery.

The project will be able to treat about 15 million gallons of industrial and community effluents per day out of 20 million gallon thrown out by the Estate’s industries.

Malaysia, which is providing technical and partial financial assistance, will also operate the plant. The Sindh government has consented to provide 45 acres of land for the plant out of 120 acre earmarked for the TP-1. On completion of the project, water to industries would be provided at Rs72 per 1,000 gallons against Rs73 being supplied by the government agency, sources told PPI here on Tuesday.

Installation of another water purification plant has also been included in the proposal of priority for the setting up of water treatment plants to overcome water shortage.

This project would cost about $20 million and is badly needed, as most of the industrial units in Site area are facing water shortage which has been affecting their production for the last several years.

The plant, being funded by Japan, which is part of the Japanese government’s grant of $300 million for revamping industrial infrastructure, research and training and setting up of water desalination plants in Pakistan.

Study on the plant has also been completed with the interaction of the Japan External Trade Organization and the Site Association of Industry and the latter is providing all technical assistance for the plant.

Industrialists have hailed the step.—PPI