Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation and Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said on Monday another important step has been taken to improve the water supply in the city, which will directly benefit citizens.
In the past, some pumping stations were neglected, due to which water could not reach residents, even though water was available in the city; however, due to lack of pumping and a faulty system, distribution remained affected. With the installation of new pumps, pumping has significantly increased in the areas of Garden, Mithadar and Kharadar, and reports have been received that in some places water has reached up to twelve feet, he said.
He expressed these views on Monday during the inauguration of the upgradation and new system of the LSR and CI-60 water pumping stations in Jinnah Town, District East.
Wahab said water is a basic necessity and directly linked to the life of the common man; therefore, the water issue should not be politicized but addressed through collective efforts. He appreciated the performance of the KWSC said the institution is actively engaged in resolving the city’s problems and taking practical steps to ensure fair distribution of water.
He said that at the LSR and CI-60 pumping stations, modern high-capacity pumps have been installed in place of 18 to 20-year-old low-capacity pumps. Two new 220-horsepower pumps have been installed at LSR, while three modern 215-horsepower motors have been installed at CI-60. In addition, the installation of a 500-KVA standby generator at LSR has further strengthened the system. These measures will make it possible to supply an additional 4 to 5 million gallons of water daily, while both projects together will provide 4 to 5 MGD of water to the city.
He added that the capacity of the CI-60 pumping station has been increased from 6.3 MGD to 8.5 MGD, and LSR from 7.8 MGD to 9.3 MGD, which will directly benefit residents of Saddar, Jinnah, Chanesar, Keamari, Mithadar, Kharadar, Garden East and Soldier Bazaar, as well as the Old City area.
The mayor said providing relief to citizens before Ramazan was their priority, and the work was completed on time through proper utilization of resources. He added that the LSR pumping station was constructed in 1942 during the British era to supply water coming through a 33-inch line to different areas of the city, but it remained neglected for a long time.
He said the water supply from CI-60 to Mauripur and the Old City area will improve, while the supply from LSR to various towns will become more stable.
Wahab said work is also ongoing on the K-III project and efforts are being made to complete it by May 31 so that the people of Lyari can benefit from it. Similarly, steps are being taken to improve the water supply in Mominabad, Manghopir, Malir and Steel Town, and more projects will be completed during Ramazan.
He urged K-Electric to improve its performance, as power breakdowns affect the water supply system and damage pumping infrastructure. He added that steps are also being taken to solarize pumping stations, which require substantial funding. The mayor said the focus should be on development work instead of politics of criticism.
