Dozens of illegal hydrants have been set up on government property between Lasbela and Teen Hatti
KARACHI: The tanker mafia has made obtaining the basic necessity of water a curse for Karachi’s residents. There are various illegal hydrants allegedly operating on federal government property in the city.
Between 2005 and 2006, there was one water hydrant on the land of the Pakistan Public Works Department, but now dozens of such hydrants have been set up, without authorisation, on government property between Lasbela and Teen Hatti. The operation of these hydrants continues with the backing of influential politicians, causing huge losses to the national exchequer by selling the precious commodity. The heavy movement by tankers 24 hours a day creates traffic jams. In January this year, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board staff demolished illegal hydrants but the operators have, once again, set them up. The Karachi administration needs to take stern action against these illegal hydrant operators.
Aisha Zaman
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2016.
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