KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust plans to setup desalination plants at Manora, Keamari Oil Installation and TPX, at an estimated cost of Rs. 300 million to meet its water requirement for residential areas and ships calling at Karachi Port.

The plan has been chalked out on the directive of the Prime Minister.

The three desalination plants, each capable of producing 200,000 imperial gallons per day, will be setup in different phases to meet the KPT’s requirement for clean drinking water. Under Phase-1, a plant at Manora Island will be setup for which tenders were invited and opened on January 12, 2009.

work on this plant will commence after fulfillment of formalities by March 2009 and completed in December this year.

The desalination plants for Keamari Oil Installation area and TPX are planned for next phase.

According to KPT, tenders for hydro-geological investigation for ascertaining water quality and quantity for these areas are in process of award and work will commence shortly.—RT