Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah on Monday reviewed the proposed Nehr-e-Khayyam project, directing relevant authorities to protect the waterway’s historical and environmental significance while addressing concerns raised by local residents and environmentalists.
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The meeting was briefed by the Local Government Department on the project’s objectives and key features. Officials said the initiative was intended to preserve the area’s historical character, improve its environmental condition and help reduce urban flooding.
The department also clarified that, contrary to speculation surrounding the project, no commercial activities were envisaged under the proposed plan.
Chief Secretary Stresses Environmental Protection
Asif Hyder Shah directed the relevant departments to ensure that the project’s environmental objectives were fully achieved.
He stressed that the historical importance of Nehr-e-Khayyam, environmental protection and the concerns of the local community must be considered during planning and implementation.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Local Government Department, the municipal commissioner of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the deputy commissioner of South district and other relevant officials.
About Nehr-e-Khayyam Rs500 mln Project
The Nehr-e-Khayyam project is a municipal rehabilitation and landscaping initiative in Clifton Block 5, near Boat Basin, Karachi.
The project has a reported budget of Rs500 million and aims to rehabilitate a stretch of approximately 1.5 kilometres of the waterway, along with surrounding roads.
The channel flows towards Chinna Creek and the Arabian Sea. The project involves improving the waterway and its surroundings, with the broader objective of creating a cleaner and more accessible urban space.
The initiative is being undertaken by the KMC and the Sindh government in collaboration with the People and Nature Initiative (PANI), an NGO of architects.
Proposed Drainage and Landscaping Features
The broader project plans have included measures to separate sewage through dedicated culverts and clean the existing channel.
Landscaping and the development of public recreational areas have also featured in the proposed plans. Earlier proposals reportedly included a public park, family-friendly spaces and a food street.
However, the Local Government Department’s latest briefing stated that no commercial activities were envisaged under the project currently being reviewed.
Residents and Environmentalists Raise Flooding Concerns
The project has faced criticism from residents, civil society groups and opposition council members, who have expressed concerns about the narrowing and concreting of parts of the waterway.
Critics argue that reducing the channel’s original width could affect its capacity to carry stormwater during heavy rainfall. They have also warned that changes to the drainage channel could increase the risk of water accumulation and urban flooding if its capacity is compromised.
Environmentalists have called for greater transparency regarding the project’s design and its potential environmental impact.
Calls for Project Details and Environmental Assessment
Protesters and political groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), have called for work to be suspended, project blueprints to be made public and a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be approved by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
These concerns centre on whether the proposed rehabilitation can protect the waterway’s drainage function while improving its environmental and recreational value.
