The recent heavy rain events in Karachi City have caused severe damage to the water and sewerage infrastructure, including leakages and crown failures in sewerage pipes. These damages are a result of climate change, which has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region. To address these issues, emergency repair and replacement works have commenced fixing the damaged sections of water and sewerage infrastructure along main roads in all seven districts of the city.
The repair works are being carried out by KW&SB, which has been entrusted with the task of identifying and repairing damaged sections of water supply and sewerage lines along 56 selected roads. The repair works will be completed before the damaged road sections are rehabilitated under the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) project, which is also funded by the World Bank. The CLICK project will repair 268 roads across the city, as identified by relevant government departments.
As a part of the repair works, an exclusive lot in Package-3 will be dedicated to placing manhole covers with ring slabs on open manholes in affected areas to save precious lives. The works will also cover the repair and replacement of damaged sections of water lines and sewers on Peoples Bus Service routes in different districts of Karachi, which will reduce commuting times and facilitate citizens commuting for economic and social reasons.
The repair works are expected to have a positive impact on the economic growth of the city of Karachi, by ensuring the availability of clean water and efficient sewerage systems, and by improving the condition of the roads. These works also highlight the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on the infrastructure and economy of Karachi City. The emergency repair works are estimated to be completed in approximately two months, with a budget of PKR 2.74 Billion.