Paying higher rates: CBC officials blame KWSB for selling Pipri station water to tanker mafia

CBC committee meets CM to discuss water shortage issue

KARACHI: Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) officials have accused the water board of selling water from Pipri pumping station to the tanker mafia in Landhi and Korangi, resulting in less water being supplied to DHA and Clifton.

The issue of water shortage in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was discussed during a meeting held between Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) managing director Misbahuddin Farid and a 10-member committee of CBC and Clifton Union Council officials on Monday.



"We are getting 40% to 45% of the approved water supply quota," said CBC vice-president Aziz Suhawardy. According to him, some 'black sheep' in KWSB were selling water from the Pipri pump station to tankers and industries in Landhi and Korangi. The water tankers were providing the same water to residents at higher rates, he added.

Talking about the agreement between the DHA, Clifton and KWSB, the CBC official said that nine million gallons water per day is to be supplied to the areas as per the agreement.

Suhawardy warned that residents will take to the streets to protest because they are paying high charges for water. He suggested that the KWSB should take the lead of Karachi Electric Supply Company, which does not carry out load-shedding in areas where customers have paid their bills.

KWSB managing director Misbahuddin Farid said that water being diverted illegally will be stopped. He assured that agreed amount of water will be supplied to the CBC hydrants and agreed to review the situation after two weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th,  2016.