KARACHI, March 25: Rune Stroem, Principal Energy Specialist, Energy Division, South Asia Energy Division of the Asian Development Bank, has informed the industrialists that he has submitted an "Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and feasibility report of combined effluent treatment plant" to be set up in the Site area to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

At present it is pending with the ministry of environment for vetting. The government is examining the report and will take decision on it. A copy of which could be obtained by the associations to study in depth and offer their comments and suggestions to the Federal EPA for incorporation in the final document.

The ADB specialist said that hi-tech modern technology had been recommended in the feasibility report, which had already proved its worth in countries like India, China, Indonesia, etc.

Regarding providing copies of the report to the stakeholders, Mr Stroem said that the environment ministry had advised the ADB not to share this report with any stakeholders till the ministry took a decision on it.

In his meeting with the members of Site Association of Industry and the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) few days back, Mr Stroem said that ADB was willing to finance the projects but it was up to the government whom it would assign the task.

According to Site Association and KATI's press releases, the ADB would charge two per cent on the given loan through PICIC to a private entity. On the occasion, Dr Arshad A. Vohra, former Site association chief, informed Mr Stroem that a combined body comprising industrialists and representatives from Site Ltd and the city government would go for the treatment plant. The city government had already been requested to provide a land at TP-III, Hawksbey.

At present this treatment plant is not in working condition and needs repairs and modification. About 65 mgd untreated water is being discharged from this plant direct into the sea.

Mr Stroem said that the Site area was still on the top and emphasized the need of immediate work on the combined effluent treatment plant to meet WTO environment standards. He also stressed on the members to set up a plant which met 100 per cent of the NEQs demand and not to compromise in the quality of effluent treatment.

He said the ADB had already agreed in principle to have the first combined effluent treatment plant at the Site area, out of six common effluent treatment plants and two toxic waste treatment facilities in Pakistan to help process industrial waste and absorb the environment impact of industrial by-products under the bank's financing scheme.