Expedite of Water project need serious steps
Expedite of Water project need serious steps
Editorial
Editorial

The Reviewing the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE)’s departmental affairs on Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has directed the department to expedite progress on all water development projects across Balochistan.

The Reviewing the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE)’s departmental affairs on Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has directed the department to expedite progress on all water development projects across Balochistan.

CM Jam Kamal was briefed regarding departmental affairs, functional and non-functional water schemes, QESCO dues, dam projects in Gwadar and water projects in next Federal PSDM.

There is zero progress on building the Power plant, providing drinking water supply for the people of Gwadar and its surrounding localities leaving aside the demand for water for commercial and industrial purposes.

Chief Minister directed the PHE department to complete survey regarding new dams, speedy steps to address water issues in Bhag, fictionalization of Desalination Plant in Gwadar and Kachi Water Project.

“Functionalization of Water Treatment Plants in Quetta would be helpful to use water in construction work, parks and service stations.” CM said and directed WASA to digitalize billing system.

There were no efforts to reclaim and rehabilitate the Ankara Kaur Dam near Gwadar or building bigger dams on the major rivers in the surround. The Dam on Shadi Kaur busted in one of the massive floods more than a decade ago.

The goal could not be achieved without the federal government’s support. Earlier, PHE secretary said that that around 20 dams have been completed with the allocated fund of Rs2.4 billion and construction on 46 new dams is underway. Shadi Kor Dam in Makran division has completed and water supply to Pasni has started. The provincial installed a large number of tube wells but did not build any dams nor take action against illegal drilling.

The previous regime had also showcased an ambitious scheme of providing water to Quetta city from Pat Feeder Canal in 2016 and Kachhi canal through a 271-km long pipeline but that project too never saw the light of the day to provide relief to the people of this mismanaged city despite the fact that the total cost of the project was estimated at Rs40 billion (56 per cent of the then Public Sector Development Plan — Rs 71bn) and it was scheduled for completion in three years.

It is an undeniable fact that there are more prospects for building dams and water storage facilities in Balochistan alone comparing with the other province of Pakistan.

On the contrary, we will waste all the money meant for building huge water reservoirs in all parts of Balochistan beating back drought and famine which regularly visit this part of the world with intervals. All the projects of small dam in hands should be converted into water storage facilities for promotion of irrigation.

It will be beneficial and making up the shortage of water in the cities of the province and major townships by recycling the waste water as done the world over.

The Balochistan Chief Minister, being a dynamic personality, will hopefully tackle this issue seriously and making it an opportunity to make additional water available to the people for irrigating their land rural Balochistan.

In case of major cities of like Quetta, the waste water should be recycle for washing purposes-cleaning the roads and washing vehicles at all pumping stations. Or even Balochistan Government can develop green belt in the major cities on a big scale to improve the environment.

The Provincial Government should come into action on war footing ensuring bacteria-free water supply to the people for drinking as well as for domestic uses. The Balochistan Government should diver the massive development funds on renovating the water supply line ensuring germ-free water for all and without any discrimination.