Around $100m Karachi water and sewerage project nears finish line

ISLAMABAD, Apr 20 (ABC): The first phase of the $100 million Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-I) is nearing completion.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the broader KWSSIP programme, estimated at $1.6 billion, is to be executed in four overlapping phases over a period of 12 years. The project is jointly financed by the World Bank (40%), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (40%), and the Government of Sindh (20%).
Approved in June 2019, the project became effective in February 2020. Phase I, also known as SOP-1, has a planned implementation period of five-and-a-half years and is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2026.
According to the documents, of the 26 work contracts awarded, 17 have been completed, while five are currently in progress. Four contracts have been shifted to Phase-II for further execution.
Similarly, of the 13 consultancies, five have been completed, four are ongoing, and four have been moved to Phase-II.
In terms of procurement, six goods contracts were awarded, with four completed, one under execution, and one transferred to the Phase-II.
A significant portion of infrastructure development — particularly the repair and replacement of aging water supply and sewerage lines — has been completed across Karachi Central, Korangi, Malir, District East, District West, and Kemari. These efforts aim to address the long-standing service delivery challenges across the city.
Additional components, including the construction of customer service centres and operational facilities, have also seen steady progress, with several completed and others underway.
However, some planned initiatives, such as the enhancement of geographic information systems (GIS) and the implementation of an asset management programme, have been moved to the second phase.
The project also includes modernisation efforts, including the installation of consumer and bulk flow meters, as well as SCADA systems to improve efficiency and the monitoring of water distribution.
Overall, Phase-I is moving steadily toward its targeted completion by mid-2026.