LAND SAGA..300 ACRES OF LAND FOR KORANGI SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

The Supreme Court had issued directives for the allotment of the land on immediate basis by terming it an important project for the city. The projects, whose cost is estimated at Rs13 billion, will ensure release of 500 million gallons of sewerage to the sea after treatment. The apex court has directed relevant officials to complete the project on priority basis and within stipulated time. The  rising pollution would be controlled in the city after completion of the project besides providing pleasant environment to sea life.

In this land saga the government officials are playing with the court and hiding the real facts. In fact  465 acres of prime land near Pakistan Refinery in Korangi Industrial area was earmarked for the Treatment plant but with the connivance of then KWSB  Managing Director, Brig (R) Iftikhar Haider , KWSB surrendered the land land for the housing societies. The rest of the land measuring 150 acres, cost around billion of rupees is at the mercy of some officials in Government of Sindh. The additional attorney General has not been briefed properly on the facts and ,as per directive sof the Supreme Court, instead of initiating inquiry against the officials who have allotted the reserved land to private parties including the then MD, KWSB, they are trying to save 150 acres of prime land from KWSB. An expert on the environmental issues disclosed that no residential schemes could be possible in the vicinity after the installation of the plant. On the other hand land is still required for the future expansion of the project. When flows will increase in future the plant capacity has to be enhanced to treat additonal flows.

The reserved land shall be exclusively for the treatment plant and any deviation from the  original land use  is a clear violation of the court orders and human rights of the Karachi citizens.