HYDERABAD, Dec 13: Acting on a request made by District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jameel, the chief engineer irrigation of the Kotri Barrage has agreed to curtail the closure period of Akram Wah from one month to 15 days.

The Akram wah will now be closed from midnight on December 25 to ensure there is no water shortage in the city.

The decision was taken jointly by management of the HDA and chief engineer irrigation Kotri Barrage at a meeting presided over by the nazim here on Tuesday.

The meeting decided that the closure programme would not be implemented from Dec 25 to Jan 10, 2006. Besides, canal water would also be retained by closing Pinyari and Phulelli canals regulators and provide two to three days’ water to the HDA pumping station of the new filter plant on the Jamshoro road.

Speaking on the occasion, the nazim said that at present Wasa’s reservoir capacity could meet the only 10 days’ requirement, therefore, a reduction in the closure period was essential.

He said about 600,000 people of the city who depended on Akram Wah could benefit from the decision.

He said the district government was already working to increase the water reservoir capacity of Wasa and provides filtered water to all people in the district with installation of four new filter plants and upgradation of the existing one.

He said till the system was streamlined, the requirement would be met through efficient management.

He said that working relationship and close coordination between the district government and the irrigation department was essential to save the people of Hyderabad from hardship.

The nazim asked the chief engineer of the Kotri Barrage to release some fresh water downstream Kotri to meet the drinking water requirements of Latifabad.

He said the district government was installing a water treatment plant in Qasimabad to overcome water pollution downstream Kotri barrage.

The chief engineer agreed to release fresh water up to 300 cusecs downstream Kotri regularly.

The nazim informed the meeting that the district government was planning to construct a road along the non-inspection path of Akram Wah from Hala Nako to Ghangro Mori, with green belt for which necessary assistance of the irrigation department for demarcation of irrigation land along the canal was required.

He said the road would not only provide better communication facilities to people of the city and surrounding areas but also strengthen canal banks and protect irrigation land from future encroachment.