The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed secretary Finance to release funds for the completion of project Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) as soon as possible. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani made this direction while hearing the Manchar Lake water pollution case.
During the course of proceedings, Zaheer Shah, Project Director apprised the bench that about 67 % work had been completed and due to non availability of funds, project and the water treatment plant was suffering delay. He further apprised the bench that if funds released timely then the project would be completed by December, 2014. He further informed the court that six water treatment plants by the Sindh government and six by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) were planted in the surroundings of Manchar Lake and had plan for more but insufficient funds making barrier to do so.
Department would complete the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) project by the end of 2014 to divert the flow of toxic water to this drain, he explained. “Meanwhile, we are making arrangements to reduce the flow of toxic waste water to the lake and increase fresh water supply.”
The representative of WADA informed the bench that a summary was sent to the finance department but funds was not released yet. Afterward the bench while directing the finance department to make sure the issuance of funds immediately adjourned further hearing of the case till January 27.
