Nehr-e-Khayyam Restoration in Clifton to Finish in Two Months
KARACHI: The Nehr-e-Khayyam restoration in Clifton and the diversion of sewage water will be completed within two months, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said on Monday, adding that the project would help reduce foul odours, prevent the spread of diseases and improve the environment.
He made the remarks during a visit to Nehr-e-Khayyam to inspect the ongoing construction work, following complaints from residents about the project. Shah said he had visited the site to assess residents’ concerns, adding that the chief minister had also taken notice of the matter.
What the Nehr-e-Khayyam restoration involves
Clarifying the scope of the work, the minister said the project involved covering the drain and making arrangements to divert sewage water to address problems caused by wastewater in the area.
He said the project aimed not only to improve the drainage system but also to restore the canal and make its surroundings more attractive. A clean-water channel was being developed, while landscaping and tree plantation were also planned along its banks.
The minister did not give a breakdown of the project’s cost or the exact length of the drain being covered, but said the work was progressing and the two-month timeline would be met.
The Nehr-e-Khayyam restoration is one of several water and drainage interventions under way in the city, where ageing infrastructure routinely struggles with sewage and storm water.
Residents’ complaints prompted the visit
The minister’s inspection came after residents raised complaints about the construction work. Shah said he went to the site specifically to hear those concerns, and noted that the chief minister’s notice of the matter underlined its priority for the provincial government.
For Clifton’s residents, the canal has long been a source of foul smell and a health worry, particularly in the summer months when stagnant wastewater breeds disease. The promise of a covered drain with diverted sewage, plus greenery along the banks, addresses complaints that go back years.
Water works under pressure across the country
Karachi is not alone in racing to fix water infrastructure. In Rawalpindi, the daily water shortfall has hit 21 million gallons a day, with the long-delayed Daducha Dam meant to close the gap. In Islamabad, residents have raised concerns over water quality.
Against that backdrop, the Nehr-e-Khayyam project is a reminder that Pakistan’s urban water challenge is as much about drainage and sewage as it is about supply — and that the timelines politicians announce will be judged against what residents can see and smell.
FAQs
What is the Nehr-e-Khayyam restoration project?
It is the restoration of the Nehr-e-Khayyam canal in Clifton, involving covering the drain, diverting sewage water, developing a clean-water channel, landscaping and tree plantation.
When will it be completed?
LG Minister Nasir Hussain Shah says the work will be completed within two months.
Why did the minister visit the site?
He inspected the ongoing construction following complaints from residents; the chief minister has also taken notice of the matter.
What problems will the project solve?
The project aims to reduce foul odours, prevent the spread of diseases and improve the environment around the canal.
