Summary:
The crucial KB Feeder lining work has restarted, a joint federal and Sindh government initiative designed to conserve significant water resources. This project aims to enhance Karachi drinking water supply by channeling an additional 500-550 cusecs into Keenjhar Lake, addressing current and future water security needs for the metropolis.
KB Feeder Lining Work Resumes for Enhanced Water Supply
KB Feeder lining work has recommenced on the Kalri Baghar (KB) Feeder, a vital perennial canal originating from the Kotri Barrage. This critical infrastructure project, a collaborative effort between the federal and Sindh governments with a 50:50 cost-sharing model, aims to line the entire KB Feeder to conserve water and augment Karachi’s drinking water supply.
Work on the canal initially started last year, with select sections already lined during a previous closure. As the KB Feeder operates year-round, project activities are restricted to specific periods, with a planned completion within three years as per the approved schedule. This continuity is essential for the region, as reported by SindhNews.com.
Progress on KB Feeder Lining Work
The Kotri Barrage undergoes its annual repair and maintenance shutdown from December 25 to January 10. The KB Feeder was closed five days earlier than other canals and will reopen five days later, allowing for concentrated work. Engineering teams require approximately 18 hours to deplete the pond and release downstream water before maintenance can commence, ensuring safe working conditions.
The lining initiative, funded equally by both provincial and federal governments, is structured into three packages, covering over 189 reduced distances (RDs) – each spanning approximately 1,000 feet. By January 2025, around 25 to 30 percent of the work had been successfully completed between December 2024 and January 2025.
Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, the newly appointed permanent Project Director (PD) for the KB Feeder lining project and a retired Chief Engineer of Kotri Barrage, oversees the operations, replacing Ghulam Mohiuddin. Talpur stated that the work is progressing smoothly.
Impact on Karachi’s Water Needs
The primary goal of the canal lining is to conserve approximately 500-550 cusecs of water. This saved volume will directly flow into Keenjhar Lake, the main source from which the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) draws water for the city. Currently, the KB Feeder carries about 9,000 cusecs, with 1,200 cusecs supplied to Karachi.
With the current KB Feeder lining work, Karachi’s water supply in Phase-I is projected to increase to 1,700 cusecs. Further proposed lining of two additional canals from the barrage could save another 700 cusecs, potentially bringing the total supply to 2,400 cusecs, aligning with the city’s overall requirement. The cost of the KB Feeder lining project has been revised to approximately Rs50 billion, up from an initial Rs39.94 billion, following Ecnec approval in July 2023 due to updated rates for contractual work.
This ongoing project, alongside the larger K-IV project executed by WAPDA since 2011 with a cost of Rs126 billion, is pivotal for securing Karachi’s long-term water future. The K-IV scheme is designed to deliver 650 million gallons per day (MGD) from Keenjhar Lake in two phases. The successful completion of the KB Feeder lining work is therefore critical in ensuring water security and meeting the burgeoning demands of the provincial capital.