Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to address Karachi’s worsening water crisis, directing urgent completion of key water supply and drainage projects, including the K-IV system, Kalri Baghar Feeder, Hub Dam works and the RBOD drainage system.
He instructed all the provincial departments to ensure immediate release of funds and strict adherence to deadlines, warning that delays would not be tolerated. The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi and senior officials of relevant departments.
A detailed review was carried out on ongoing projects aimed at ensuring Karachi’s long-term and efficient water supply. The CM said the Sindh government was taking every possible step to meet the citizens’ water requirements, adding that ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for Karachi remained one of the government’s highest priorities.
Officials briefed the meeting that the K-IV Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Project aimed at delivering 260 million gallons of water per day (MGD) to the city and would become the largest future source of clean water transmission from the Keenjhar Lake to Karachi.
The K-IV project under the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) since 2020 was being rapidly implemented, the meeting was told. The authorities said an advanced pressurised pipeline system had been planned to permanently address Karachi’s chronic water shortages. The CM ordered immediate completion of financial arrangements for the electricity supply essential to the K-IV’s full functionality.
A briefing was also given on the K-IV’s expansion phase, including three major reservoirs — R-1, R-2 and R-3. It was noted that the R-1 reservoir with a capacity of 65 MGD would provide immediate support to Central, East and West districts and stabilise supply to adjoining areas. The R-2 reservoir, with an expanded capacity of 130 MGD, would play a vital role in catering to the city’s wider water requirements. The R-3 reservoir, with a capacity of 65 MGD, would reinforce supply to the western and central corridors and ensure transmission towards the Hub Pumping Station.
The meeting was informed that agreements for the K-IV grid station and transmission lines had been finalized and they were essential for sustained water pumping operations. The Sindh cabinet had already approved equity investment and loan financing for the project, the participants were told.
The CM was also briefed on the lining of the Kalri Baghar Feeder (KB Feeder), which is critical for safeguarding the K-IV’s allocated water share. He directed that all resources be mobilised to complete the work within the limited construction window, emphasising that the pace must accelerate once the Kotri Barrage was closed in December.
The project, costing Rs50.989 billion and jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, was expected to save 510 cusecs of water daily, the meeting was told. Regarding the Hub Dam, the meeting was informed that outstanding dues amounting to Rs1.075 billion had been released. The CM approved continued measures for the dam’s maintenance, structural integrity and protection of its water supply. He noted that the Hub Dam remained a crucial source of water for both Karachi and Hub in Balochistan.
Shah further instructed immediate rehabilitation of the RBOD drainage system and emphasised joint coordination between Wapda and the Sindh irrigation department. Protecting the drainage network from flood-related damage, he said, was vital for urban and environmental safety.
Concluding the meeting, the CM issued firm directives for timely release of funds and strict adherence to all project deadlines, reiterating that Karachi’s water security could not be compromised under any circumstances.
