Steps should be taken to curb water theft by the tanker mafia
KARACHI: For as I long as I can remember, the supply of piped water in Karachi has never been just. As a tenant, I have lived in various areas of the city and have found drastic differences in the supply of piped water, according to the locality. For example, most parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan -e-Jauhar and Federal B Area as well as cantonment areas are supplied water regularly, but majority of the neighbourhoods in North Karachi and Orangi Town remain deprived of water for weeks.
In addition to the negligence and maladministration on part of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), the citizens are also to blame. People residing near main lines have manipulated the KWSB supply system to steal water, while some have obtained direct water connections by bribing local government officials and officers of the Water Board. It is painful to see some people watering their gardens and washing their cars with piped water while others make use of brackish boring water. Moreover, while some are able to afford sweet water for consumption from ‘water shops’, most people in water-scarce areas are obliged to risk their health by consuming toxic, untested and bacteria-ridden water obtained from wells and boring.
The government, the water commission and more specifically the KWSB, should ensure fair and equitable distribution of water throughout the city. Moreover, steps should be taken to curb water theft by the tanker mafia.
Faisal Arshad
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2019.
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