Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday announced the provincial government’s decision to sign an agreement with the People and Nature Initiative (PANI), a non-governmental organisation, to initiate development work on the Nehr-e-Khayyam Park, according to news sources.
This information was revealed during a meeting at the CM House — with CM Shah informing the attendees that the government had agreed to work with PANI in order to create an environment-friendly facility to preserve the area’s natural beauty.
The agreement in question was signed by PANI President Shahid Abullah, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar, Secretary Local Government Roshan Shaikh, Asadullah Khan of the KWSB and Dr Saif-ur-Rehamn of the KDA.
Previously, PANI had suggested plans to clean the sewage water flowing into the canal through the indigenous, sustainable ‘reed bed’ technology. According to a press statement, NESPAK will provide the engineering design for the project. Reportedly, PANI has proposed the plantation of hundreds of trees and shrubs, as well as the establishment of a jogging track and viewing decks along the canal.
The Nehr-e-Khayyam, which passes through the Gizri
crossing alongside Boat Basin on its
way to the sea,
has been subjected to sewage discharge and waste disposal along the banks. For
the last few years, this situation has
worsened significantly, and further aggravated the
environmental impact of this hazardous
waste and sewage.
As per the sources, the
development of Nahr-i-Khayyam is
expected to cost about PKR 1.5 billion and will be financed by a
non-government organisation. In
addition, the Sindh government will also be spending PKR 50 million in order to erect conduit to sequester and ensure
smooth sewage flow in the area.
