ISLAMABAD, Feb 07 (ABC): The K-IV water supply project, a flagship initiative aimed at easing Karachi’s chronic water shortages, has received an additional Rs5 billion in funding, raising the total allocation for fiscal year 2025-26 to Rs8.2 billion, according to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan.
The fresh injection of funds marks a sharp increase from the earlier Rs3.2 billion allocation and reflects the federal government’s renewed push to complete the project on schedule.
Officials say the K-IV project remains on track to supply 260 million gallons of water per day to Karachi by December 2026, significantly improving water availability for the city’s growing population.
Funding to accelerate construction
The enhanced financial allocation will help cover rising construction costs and ensure that critical phases of the project continue without delays.
These phases include laying transmission lines, building pumping stations and completing other key water supply infrastructure.
Sources said the Ministry of Water Resources has also sought additional funding through internal savings to further speed up implementation.
Officials believe that timely disbursement of funds will prevent bottlenecks and keep work aligned with the project timeline.
Federal-provincial coordination
Alongside federal support, the Sindh government has pledged to release its outstanding financial share.
This commitment ensures full backing from both federal and provincial authorities.
Experts say such coordination is essential for large-scale infrastructure schemes, especially those designed to address Karachi’s longstanding water crisis. Joint financial support also reduces the risk of project slowdowns caused by funding gaps.
Dedicated power supply planned
Another major milestone involves securing uninterrupted electricity for the system.
The Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company has been tasked with providing a dedicated 50-megawatt power supply for the project.
This dedicated supply will operate the pumping and distribution systems once the network becomes functional. Officials said synchronising the power connection with construction and testing schedules remains critical to maintaining the overall timeline.
Without stable power, the system cannot function efficiently.
PC-I revision under review
Meanwhile, the project’s second revised PC-I document is under review by the Ministry of Water Resources.
The document outlines updated financial estimates, operational details and implementation strategies. Once cleared, it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives for final approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
Officials say timely approval will streamline procedures and allow faster transition to the next stage of development.
Relief for Karachi’s water crisis
Karachi has long struggled with severe water shortages due to rapid population growth, ageing infrastructure and supply-demand gaps.
Authorities believe the K-IV project will provide a sustainable solution by significantly increasing daily water supply. With 260 million gallons per day expected upon completion, the project could ease pressure on existing sources and improve access for residential, commercial and industrial users.
Officials say resolving financial and logistical challenges now will help ensure the project meets its December 2026 completion target.
Once operational, the K-IV project is expected to deliver reliable water to millions of residents and support Karachi’s long-term urban and economic growth.