Daily Times

KARACHI: Mayor Waseeem Akhtar has informed the judicial commission on Thursday that there was a serious shortage of potable water in the city as the water distribution system has failed to deliver water to all the dwellers.

Akhtar had turned up before the commission of an inquiry into the state’s failure to provide safe drinking water and sanitation facilities and stated that construction of high-rises and multi-storey buildings has aggravated the problem of water shortage and poor sanitation.

He complained that no one was checking the illegal mushrooming of such buildings which were being raised without adopting the procedure and ensuring provision of water and sanitation facilities.

He pointed out that illegal water hydrants were being operated which was one of the main causes of shortage of water. Drainage system has also gone from bad to worse resultantly pungent water can be seen overflowing on the roads.

“Major water drains were encroached upon but no action has been being taken against encroachers.”

He suggested that the civic departments providing municipal services should be working independently with any central command. “All these departments should be brought under the mayor’s administrative control to bring about improvement.”

Besides, the Sindh police and Karachi Water Sewerage Board (KWSB) shifted blame on each other for failing to combat the menace of illegal water hydrants.

The DIG and SSP West told the commission that illegal hydrants were running under the umbrella of KWSB. “Although the police is ready to take action against illegal hydrant operators but the water utility officials are reluctant to come forward and register an FIR against them.”

The DIG stated that so far eight FIR’s were registered in Jan 2017. He, however, maintained that the problem is more serious and deep-rooted.

Managing director of KWSB contradicted his statement saying, “We report to the police about illegal hydrants but they don’t take any action.”

The DIG East said that the police are taking strict action against illegal hydrants and in this connections three FIRs were registered in Jan 2017 in this regard.