KARACHI: Most of the people of Gulistan-e-Johar are facing the issue of unsafe and unclean drinking water. “We normally purchase water gallons and tankers for our drinking needs”. Many locals informed
People of Gulistan-e-Johar of Block 13 to Block 19 including Johar Chowrangi, Rabia City, Pahlwan Goth, Bithai Abad, Kamran Chowarangi and the central Government society have not being receiving pure water for drinking purpose, the water supplied through water lines is just being used for bathing, washing laundry and for kitcheners purpose.
Akhtar Ali, 34, a barber, who lives at Kamran Chowrangi where most of the water pipelines are contaminated. “The water is mixed with sewerage waste, that is making the supply of water germ-infested, and we are forced to buy 2 gallons a day for drinking purposes” he added.
The Contamination of water has occurred due to defective joints and crossing over of sewage pipe lines at junctions meeting water lines, which are the reasons behind the contaminated water.
This situation can be cited near a link road leading from Johar Chowrangi to Pahlwan Goth attached with a big gutter line, where some pipelines of water are crossing under that gutter (the big Sewerage line) resulting in the mixing of sewerage and water which is making the situation worst.
In these areas a large number of shops are selling water- gallons of 12-20 liters which are being mostly supplied to the running business in the locality.
Naeem Akhtar, 32, a resident has told Daily Times that there is a huge Water-Mafia in the locality which is promoting business of selling drinking water. “The authorities are also involved in such promotions so they don’t want the matter to be solved.” he claimed.
Many People have informed Daily Times that they can not consume the water coming from the pipelines directly because it can have direct affects on human life hence some people are using water filters for water purification, some boil it while others are purchasing gallons for drinking purpose.
According to Doctor Rakhshanda Baqai, PMRC Research Centre, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Diarrheal diseases and other infections can occur with the consumption of sewerage contaminated water.