Funding availability key to K-IV’s on – time completion :WAPDA Chief

ISLAMABAD: Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd) has reviewed in detail the construction progress on key sites of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV Project) during a two-day visit. WAPDA is executing the project on behalf of the Federal Government to help meet the growing water needs of Karachi — the country’s economic hub and largest city.
The Chairman visited major work fronts, including the intake structure and pumping stations at Keenjhar Lake in district Thatta, the high-pressure water conveyance system from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi, and one of the filtration plants in Karachi.
During the visit, the General Manager and Project Director, along with contractors and consultants, briefed the Chairman on site-wise and contract-wise progress, key milestones, and completion schedules. The K-IV Project has been divided into eight contract packages to ensure fast-track implementation. Construction activities are currently underway at all key sites, with overall physical progress recorded at 64 percent and expenditures reaching Rs 86 billion.
WAPDA reiterated its commitment to completing the K-IV Project in 2026, subject to timely availability of funds. The briefing also covered the project’s current financial status and upcoming funding requirements.
Highlighting the project’s critical importance for Karachi, the Chairman urged contractors to accelerate their pace of work by deploying additional resources to meet timelines. He particularly emphasised that the contractor working on Pipeline-2 (PL-2) must catch up with the construction schedule.
The Chairman also directed the project team to maintain close coordination with the Government of Sindh to ensure smooth implementation. He expressed hope that the provincial government would complete the Water Distribution/Augmentation Project in time so the full benefits of K-IV could be realised.
The K-IV Project is designed to supply 650 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to Karachi from Keenjhar Lake. It will be completed in two phases. WAPDA is currently constructing Phase-I, which will supply 260 MGD, while subsequent phases will add another 390 MGD to the system.
Separately, the Chairman visited all work sites of the Nai Gaj Dam Project to assess on-ground conditions and formulate a strategy for resuming construction, which has been suspended since February 2025. The General Manager Projects (South), Project Director, and consultants were also present.
Construction remains halted due to several reasons, including contractor litigation, historically slow progress, and funding constraints. Once completed, the Nai Gaj Dam Project is expected to bring 28,800 acres of barren land under cultivation and generate 4.2 MW of low-cost electricity for local communities.
Ends