HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that his government will approach international agencies, if need be, for capacity-building of the Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa). He also hinted at appointing market-based managing director and chief operating officer for Wasa on the pattern of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB).

He noted that the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) had somewhat performed better in the ongoing monsoon rains, and added that the provincial government would again approach Supreme Court to seek 40pc funds out of Bahria Town Karachi’s deposits for executing a Rs100bn drainage scheme for the left bank areas.

He was speaking at a late night press briefing at Shahbaz Hall after his whirlwind visit of various rain-affected districts.

Provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Nasir Hussain Shah; and CM’s special assistant for Hyderabad Saghir Qureshi were also present at the meeting.

40pc of the amount will be utilised to execute Rs100bn drainage scheme for left bank areas, according to the CM

“I agree with you that HDA and Wasa needed capacity-building due to their chronic issues,” he said, adding that he was aware of the fact that these civic bodies were needed to be made self-sustaining. He said he had asked the LG minister to take

steps for HDA and Wasa in this regard. He said his government realised that climate change was a reality and, therefore, a long-term investment for these institutions was required.

Discussing the KWSB, Mr Shah said his government was going to make massive investment in this institution and considering lack of resources, World Bank’s assistance was sought. “If need be, Sindh government will seek such assistance from international agencies for Hyderabad as well,” he said. But, he cautioned, these agencies wanted to see qualitative changes in the department’s working for which the assistance was obtained.

The CM said that the managing director (MD) and chief operating officer (COO) for KWSB were appointed through competitive process. “I think the same criterion needs to be applied for Wasa so that it should work as an independent body and address all issues regarding stormwater drains and drainage during monsoon to avoid inconvenience to people,” he said.

Comparing the current discharge level in the LBOD with last year’s figures, the CM said it remained the same this year. Only one breach was reported in LBOD system’s branch drain in this monsoon whereas multiple breaches had occurred in 2020. “So, the LBOD has performed better to some extent after some investment made by government,” he argued.

Alluding to foreign consultants for left bank areas’ drainage system, Mr Shah said that one scheme was designed at a cost of Rs55bn after 2011 rains and its revised cost now stood at Rs100bn. He said such a massive investment out of government’s resources for one single scheme was not possible. “We have proposed that out of Bahria Town Karachi’s Rs460bn [deposits with the SC], the money be spent at 60:40 ratio for Karachi and the rest of Sindh, respectively,” he said. Out of the 40pc amount, the left bank areas’ drainage scheme of Rs100bn could be executed, he explained.

He recalled that the previous federal government had opposed the proposal. “We will be moving SC again now when there is some understanding between us and the federal government,” he said.

He hoped that the apex court would consider this request.

CM Shah also announced that the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) would start its operations in Hyderabad on Sept 9.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2022