Karachi: DHA kicks off phase two of drainage plan

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Sewerage drains and their sea outlets have been repaired or installed

By Jamil Khan

KARACHI: The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Karachi has finally overcome the flaws in its drainage system’s master plan. It finished the first phase of installing the underground drainage system and has started work on the second phase, Daily Times learnt on Tuesday.
Work on the new DHA storm water drainage system started last year in October and was estimated to cost Rs 3.7 billion. The project’s contractor, M/s Techno Consultant International completed work on the main trunk drains (MTD) measuring 19,538 meters, 750 metre long triple cell, 8100 meter long double cell and 10,688 meter long single cell in almost all DHA areas. It constructed MTDs in areas where no storm water networks previously existed and it restored existing drains by rehabilitation work and by connecting smaller drains to nearby MTDs, it enhanced the sewerage network to avoid overload.
The contractor’s task also included framing a master plan for both the DHA drainage and sewerage systems using a topographical survey and modern geographical info system (GIS) technology. The aim was to construct a foolproof infrastructure that meets future needs without any major problems.
DHA spokesperson told Daily Times that the work on the second phase, including the construction of roads, has begun in areas where all underground work has been completed.
It was a major task to lay a new storm water drain structure in already planned and developed areas, however by working round the clock, the work was completed in a remarkably small timeframe, he said. “In order to address DHA’s flooding issue that occurred last year in August, a special assignment cell has been created exclusively to undertake remedial measures,” he said.
Sewerage drains and their sea outlets have been either repaired or installed in various DHA areas, including Khayaban-e-Sehr, Khayaban-e-Shamsheer, Khayaban-e-Muhafiz, Khayaban-e-Hafiz, Korangi Road, B-Street, E-Street, 12-Lane and Saba Avenue. A sewerage line with a diameter of 45 mm, running from Ittehad to Muhafiz on Khyaban-e-Shujaat, was connected to an existing line with a diameter of 1,067 mm on Muhafiz, while damaged sewer lines were replaced in phases 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and their extension areas.
DHA, previously known as the Pakistan Defence Officers Cooperative Housing Society, was established in 1956 and was allotted 76 acres of land that now falls in Phase I. The society’s name was changed in 1980 to Pakistan Defence Officers Housing Authority, it now spreads on a total 8,797 acres. Most of the land was reclaimed from the sea and was demarcated into eight phases. DHA has a 466 km long road network, a 470 km long sewerage system and 605 km long potable water pipeline that supplies water to around 82,000 DHA residents.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...08_pg12_12