KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved Rs63.781 million for completion of Combined Effluent Treatment Plant, Kotri and directed Industries department to conduct census of the industrial units working on the city so that implementation of environmental rules could be ensured. He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting regarding treatment of affluent here at the CM House today. The meeting was attended by Minister P&D Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Miniuster Environment Mohammad Ali Malkani, Chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem, Advocate General Sindh Zameer Ghumro, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Secretary Industries Abdul Raheem Soomro and others. Secretary Industries Raheem Soomro said that on the orders of the Supreme court the SITE Ltd has taken over the combined Effluent treatment plant, Kotri from the contractor. The SITE is carrying out its remaining work to make it functional. The chief minister said that after approval of electrical and mechanical works he has approved its cost of Rs63.781 million. Giving details of the reaming work of Kotri treatment plant, secretary Industries said that all the tanks have been de silted. The work is being carried out by another contractor. Talking about the compliance of Supreme Court orders, the secretary said that 1700 notices and subsequently reminders have been issued to various industries. About 50 units have responded and necessary action would be taken against those who fail to respond. Replying to a question about Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), he said that establishment of five CETP are in the process of approval for Rs11390 million. They are SITE with to have 19 MGD discharge design for which 25 acres of land is available and it would cost Rs2.243 million. Trans-Lyari CETP to have a design discharge of 27 MDG for which 35 acre land is available and it costs Rs3,672 million. The FB Area/North Karachi has 12 MGD design discharge and 7 acre land have been made available for it and its cost would come to Rs1,590 million. Landhi/Korangi CETP has 26 MGD discharge and it would be established over 35 acreas and it costs around Rs3,258 million. The Highway SITE Phase-2 will have 10 MGD discharge and will be constructed for Rs627 million over an area of 10.45 acres. Chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem while briefing the chief minister said that five CETPs would help in implementing the government policy on pollution abetment and promote cost effective pollution treatment for industrial units. He added that the project would also help to control the indiscriminate discharge of heavily polluted waste waters and improve the condition of receiving water body, thus ensuring and environmentally sustainable social and economic development of the area. Minister Environment Mohammad Ali Malkani said that Sindh Environment Protection Agency has been mace functional and it has generated so far 37 reports on water quality. He added that on the basis of the test reports action has been initiated. The minister said that 10 more district offices of EPA are being established for which funds are required. On this the chief minister issues directives to release Rs100 million for the purpose. Secretary Environment Baqaullah Unar told the meeting that 25 cases have been submitted before Sindh Environmental Tribunal. He added that 35 industrial units have been directed to establish in-house waste water treatment plants and prepare environmental management plans (EMP) for taking appropriate measures to control pollution. He disclosed that with the intervention of EPA, 125 industrial units have established their wastewater treatment plants. He added that the leather industries at Kotri and Korangi have installed their 100 treatment plants which are working properly. Replying to a question he said that 127 environmental protection orders have also been issued to hospital and industries against which 100 letters have been issued for personal hearings. Sindh chief minister said that there were reports of dust emission in the industrial areas of the city. On this minister environment Mohammad Ali Malkani said that some 62 crushing units have been issued units and action is being taken. He added that the EPA has recovered Rs2.2 million penalties from 11 different industrial units for violation of EPA rules. The chief minister directed the industries and environment department to work together and ensure installation of treatment plants at industrial units. This is a serious issue and must be taken seriously by giving him reports fortnightly. Published in Daily Times, August 16th 2017.