Daily Times

KARACHI: The judicial commission has showed annoyance over the provincial and civic authorities for failing to implement its recommendations and the apex court’s directions to make all treatment and filter plants functional.

Headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro the judicial commission set up by the Supreme Court to inquire into the state’s failure to provide potable water and sanitation facilitates resumed its hearing on Saturday.

The KWSB MD informed that quantity of chlorinated water was enhanced from 250 mega gallons per day to 330, though it mixed with non-chlorinated water in the process ahead. He added rehabilitation work on filter plants was in full swing. Shortly, he said, completely chlorinated and filtered water would be supplied to citizens.

Justice Kalhoro directed the MD to submit an explanation for failing to implement the commission’s recommendation with regard to revamping old and laying new water distribution infrastructure in the metropolis.

However, he was unable to satisfy the commission as to why treatment plants, TP-I and TP-III, have not been made functional by the deadline given by the apex court.

Secretary Planning and Development Shoaib Siddiqui stated that a meeting of all stakeholders had taken place to deliberate the construction of projects to treat effluent water before dumping it into rivers and the sea but it failed to take any final decision. The projects included construction of Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD), S-III project, and five treatments in the metropolis.

Substantial progress with regard to above projects is likely within two weeks, he added.

Besides, he said, Sindh Chief Minister had met the Prime Minister to obtain funds for completion of K-IV project, which would provide 260 mega gallons per day of water to the city. It is expected to be completed shortly given the funds are released by the federal government.

The commission directed the secretary to submit the minutes of such meeting on within three days.

Sindh Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon told the commission that the Supreme Court’s directions were to be complied with by the deadline set by it has been implemented, though notifications to that effect are to be issued. He sought three days time to submit the compliance report.

Secretary Health Dr Fazalullah Pechuho submitted that incinerators have not been installed in all public hospitals but they were in process of installing the same. He would ensure that private hospitals and laboratories enforce the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2014.

The commission came down hard on the industries secretary and SITE Ltd managing director for making no tangible progress apart from issuing notices to industrial units.

It directed the local government secretary to submit the progress report on implementation of the commission’s recommendation with regard to multi-storey building and high-rises.

The HESCO and SEPCO’s chief executive officers informed that they have been supplying electricity to all water and sewerage stations. To verify their claims, the commission directed the district judges of the province, except those of Karachi, to depute judicial officers to visit these pumping stations.

Justice Kalhoro directed a member of the task force formed to implement the commission’s recommendations to collect water samples from all rivers, canals RO plants, hospitals, schools, and other public places to test its quality.