KARACHI: Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah has ordered a survey of all reverse osmosis (RO) plants in Thar to assess their condition and identify the work needed to rehabilitate them.
Presiding over a meeting on drinking water supply in Tharparkar, the chief secretary said the survey should document how much water each plant supplied and how many people it served.
He also called for a plan to keep the plants running reliably over the long term.
The chief secretary said a proposal to hand over the management of the plants to reputable and experienced nongovernmental organisations would be submitted to the Sindh government.
He said the option of engaging organisations committed to public service was under consideration.
Mr Shah also directed officials to ensure the early completion of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Sweet Water Project for Thar.
He said a reliable sup-ply of safe drinking water for Tharparkar was among the provincial government’s priorities.
He asked the Public Health Engineering Department to improve the management and maintenance of water supply and drainage schemes. He also directed the departments concerned to coordinate more closely to complete water supply projects on schedule and improve the performance of RO plants.
Lawmakers from Thar put forward proposals to improve drinking water supply and the functioning of the plants.
Chief Minister’s Adviser on Environment Dost Muhammad Rahimoon, MPA Muhammad Qasim Soomro and Mithi Municipal Committee Chairman Manoj Kumar Malani attended the meeting. MNA Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani joined via video link.
The chief minister’s special assistant on public health engineering, Muhammad Saleem Baloch, the chairman of the Planning and Development Board and the secretaries of the departments concerned also attended.