Hyderabad: Government of Sindh has handed over the control of eight Reverse Osmosis (RO) drinking water plants in Thar Coal Block II to Thar Foundation’s engineering department, a news source reported. The foundation will bear all expenses to operate and maintain these plants, which were earlier being operated by a contractor appointed by the provincial government, at international standards.
A team of experts has been tasked to manage the RO plants. The initiative will benefit approximately 10,000 people residing in Thar Coal Block II and adjacent areas by providing them safe drinking water complying with standards set by World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) in a letter asked Thar Foundation to repair and maintain all the RO plants located in Thar Coal Block II on its own expenses. PHED added that it would regularly monitor the performance of the entrusted RO plants as they remain the property of the provincial government.
The chief minister issued the order after it was brought to his knowledge that out of Thar’s 600 RO plants, 110 had faced closure due to lack of payments. He was informed of the issue by the committee constituted by him to visit Thar.
Thar Foundation is a joint project of the provincial government and various companies operating in Thar. Its aim is to improve the lives of people residing in Tharparkar, a region facing severe water issues.
Thar Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shamsuddin Ahmed Shaikh said the organisation wanted to collaborate with the Sindh government on human development.
