Grid station blast: People left searching for water in blast aftermath

Water fetched from far-off ponds is causing fatal diseases among children.

PESHAWAR: Residents of five union councils of Peshawar metropolis are facing acute water shortage since the area’s grid station, destroyed by militants on January 13, is yet to be repaired. Locals have warned of protests if the issue is not resolved soon.

Residents of union councils Maryam Zai, Azakhel, Adezai, Mattani and Mushtarika Sherkera have complained that they are facing severe water shortage since water supply to the area has been disrupted due to the prolonged power suspension. Water tanks at mosques and residential areas are empty and the water that locals are fetching from far-off ponds is causing fatal diseases, especially among
newborn babies.

Local representatives have warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, the will block the Indus Highway - the main route from Karachi to China - in protest.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Deputy Speaker of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly Khushdil Khan said he was aware of the situation and was making “every possible effort” to ensure that the grid station is rebuilt as soon as possible.

The deputy speaker said that he has ordered the authorities to supply water through tankers to residents of the affected areas on daily basis. The water supplied, however, is insufficient to meet the local demands, according to local representatives.

Khushdil Khan said that he discussed the issue with the provincial assembly and K-P Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has also directed the authorities concerned to resolve the issue on priority basis.

“This is not the first time that terrorists have created problems for the locals. The area has been under terrorist attacks since 2009. Blowing up schools and shops has become a routine activity of the terrorists and over 40 people, along with the heads of the local lashkar formed against the militants, have lost their lives,” Khan said.

The 132 KV grid station located in Matani, was blown up by militants around midnight on January 13. As a result, power supply to electricity feeders of New College, Old Azakhel, New Azakhel, Old Matani, New Matani, Hassan Khel, Mera Akakhel, Telaband, Kalakhel, Darwazgai, Zaho and Dara Akhorwal was suspended.

The Peshawar Electric Power Company has repeatedly issued statements that the repair work at the grid station is underway and will be completed soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2011.