SCDA proposes projects for investment for coastal zones

KARACHI: Sindh Coastal Development Authority (SCDA) has proposed projects in various sectors of economy for investment in Sindh’s Coastal zone comprising eight talukas of Thatta and Badin districts, APP has learnt here on Monday.

The projects proposed by SCDA include establishment of an Oil Refinery in Badin District, construction of Keti Bundar power complex and development of Fish Harbour on the line of Korangi Fish Harbour, installation of Oilpalm extraction plant at Thatta, coastal road linking creeks of Badin and Thatta Districts.

The authority has stated that the proposed oil refinery in Badin District will not only be cost effective but economically viable as transportation of oil to Karachi and Karachi for refining will help avoid extra cost. As regards the construction of Keti Bundar power Complex, the GOP, Sindh government and CEPA of Hong Kong had signed a MoU for 5280MW coal fired power complex in October 1994. The project was to be implemented in four phases. WAPDA and CEPA had signed the power purchase agreement and ground breaking ceremony was performed in January 1996.

The Keti Bundar complex comprised the development of seaport, industrial zone, community/township. SCDA has also proposed connecting Gawadar to Karachi Highway with the coastal highway of Sindh starting from Paradise Point. It will create a massive opening of investment and coal exports shall be boosted, the proposal said.

The report suggests the construction of Shah Bundar Jetty as according to an estimate 6700 tonnes of catch is available in this area. The Jetty will provide modern facilities to fishermen and promote marine fishing.

It has been noted that main nursery of marine catch is the East of Karachi in the high seas opposite Shah Bundar. The Korangi Fish Harbour feasibility shows an additional yield of 115,000 metric tonnes of catch per year whereas the harbour is designed for 102,000 metric tonnes per year and thus 13,000 metric tonnes will be available for future development. As such Shah Bundar will be a modest start with minimum expenses. Along with this, the Authority has proposed the construction of cold storage for fish catch at Shah Bundar and Keti Bundar. Another proposal by SCDA includes the installation of Salt plant at Gharo for grinding, refining, iodizing, packing and marketing. —APP

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