Sindh PAC told RBOD-II is no longer viable after Rs40bn spending

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee was told on Wednesday that the Right Bank Outfall Drain-II project has been declared non-feasible and structurally damaged despite spending of more than Rs40 billion, prompting the provincial irrigation department to stop further work on the scheme.

Officials informed the committee that the 273-kilometre project, running from Sehwan to the Arabian Sea, has remained stalled since 2015 mainly because no consultant was in place and financial resources had shrunk. They said completion of the project would now need another Rs300 billion, raising fresh questions about whether it can be carried forward.

PAC raises concerns over future of project

The committee met under the chairmanship of Nisar Khuhro and directed the provincial government to work out a plan for a desalination and recycling plant near Manchar Lake for treatment of toxic effluents coming through RBOD-I and RBOD-III. The PAC also called for work on RBOD-II to resume and asked the chief secretary to ensure the immediate hiring of a consultant.

Irrigation Secretary Zarif Khero told the meeting that the department had taken a policy decision to halt additional work on RBOD-II because of widespread structural damage caused by floods and the worsening condition of the scheme. He said the project could not move ahead unless the Water and Power Development Authority installs a recycling plant so untreated toxic water does not enter Manchar Lake. According to him, a meeting with the Wapda chairman is due on July 16 to discuss the matter.

Khero also said the alignment of RBOD-II passes through the Indus River, adding to the technical difficulties and making the scheme increasingly impracticable.

Khuhro questions delay in treatment arrangements

Expressing concern during the session, PAC chairman Khuhro questioned why the authorities had not, over the years, compelled Wapda to put in place the required treatment facility. He said if the government had decided to leave the project altogether, it should state so formally.

“If the government has decided to abandon the project, it should formally announce its closure”, Khuhro added that in that case the committee would stop pursuing the matter further.

Committee member Qasim Soomro warned that untreated effluent passing through Hamal and Manchar lakes could pollute not only those water bodies but also the Indus River, creating a serious environmental risk. The PAC reiterated that RBOD-II remained an important project for Sindh and urged the provincial government to give priority to the safe disposal and treatment of saline water.

Officials told the committee that the RBOD project was launched in 2001 at an initial estimated cost of Rs14 billion. They said the cost was later revised several times to Rs61.885 billion, although the PAC was informed that the current approved cost of RBOD-II stands at Rs61.985 billion.