KARACHI: Facing mounting public protests over the ongoing construction at Nehr-iKhayyam, the provincial government has approached the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) for `examining` the scheme.

In a letter addressed to thedirector general of Sepa, the project manager of the Karachi mega projects, being carried out under the local government department, has sought the agency`s input on the scheme titled `Rehabilitation of Nehr-iKhayyam including Diversion of Sewerage Water (District South)`.

`It is requested that Sepa may kindly examine the proposed scheme and intimate this department regarding any environmental protection requirements, mitigation measures, approvals or other actions required under the applicable environmental laws and regulations,` read the letter dated Oct 26.Explaining the purpose of the scheme, the local government department stated in the letter that it aimed to rehabilitate the existing Nehr-i-Khayyam and divert sewerage flows to `support improved drainage, reduce contamination and promote a cleaner and healthier environment`.

It said that the proposed works include the rehabilitation of around one kilometre of the existing drain, the construction of another kilometre of sewerage line and a multi-cell box drain.

The department also maintained that the project would help address stagnant water and sewerage contamination whileimproving environmental conditions in the surrounding areas.

`The project is intended to improve stormwater conveyance, reduce stagnant water and sewerage contamination, enhance environmentalhygiene and provide a basis for future initiatives relating to greywater treatment, plantation and public recreation,` the project manager informed the Sepa chief.

The department asked Sepa to identify the environmental safeguards and legal requirements applicable to the scheme so that these can be addressed.

The move comes amid growing public opposition to the pro-ject, with concerns over its environmental impact bringing the scheme under increased scrutiny.

The controversy erupted a few weeks ago when environmentalists and residents` groups gathered atthe construction site in Clifton to lodge their protest against what they suspect is `an attempt to turn the waterway into a commercial belt, including a possible food street`.

The protesters questioned the lack of publicly available project details and warned that narrowing or covering the channel could damage Karachi`s drainage system, increase the risk of urban flooding and harm the marine environment.