Water scarcity continues to haunt people in Sukkur

North Sindh Urban Services Corporation's filtration plant choked creating problems for residents

SUKKUR: Despite living at the right bank of River Indus, residents of Sukkur time and again are haunted by water issues. The residents complain of getting contaminated water, low water pressure and no water at times.

Civic services including water supply, drainage and sanitation were handed over to the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation (NSUSC) in January 2011 to improve their conditions. However, NSUSC failed to meet the expectations of citizens despite spending billions of rupees.

Many localities situated around the main water tank near Islamia College, Sukkur, including, Shalimar Road, Jail Road, Minara Road and others are also facing acute shortage of drinking water for last many days.



"We are facing shortage of water since last some weeks but despite repeated complaints nobody seems interested," said Mujahid Ali, resident of Shalimar complex.

Faheem, a resident of Jail Road, complained about the supply of contaminated water and low pressure.

"We live near the main water tank and still don't get enough water," he said, adding that condition of people living in other areas is much worse.

At first we used to get limited amount of water, but now the water we get is not fit for use, said Jameel Ahmed, a resident of Numaish Road.

Upon contact, NSUSC operations director Masar Dayo informed that the company's filtration system choked and it will take a couple more days to clean it.

Speaking about the shortage of water, he said the water pressure is perfect and there is no shortage in the city. He further said he will ask the relevant staff members to look into the matter and resolve the problem, if any.

Another official of the NSUSC, requesting anonymity, confirmed the water scarcity and said that the main line carrying water from the main tank is choked and it will get two to three days to restore its capacity.

After, the line is cleaned, the problem of shortage and low pressure will be resolved, he added.

NSUSC managing director Mehmood Shah informed that residents won't be able to access filtered water till December, this year. "Our project will complete in mid-Decemeber after which most of the localities will get filtered water," he said.

False promises

After its establishment, the NSUSC authorities claimed to provide clean drinking water to the residents within one year but this promise has yet to materialise even after five and half years. Some of the employees of NSUSC informed the political influence and nepotism in the department responsible for the poor performance.

Interestingly, NSUSC charges Rs540 per year from every household for supplying water through half inch diameter pipeline. The same amount is also charged from people living in individual apartments in high rise buildings, even though they are supplied water using the same line. NSUSC's managing director admitted the mistake and said a bigger line should be used for apartments and then the amount should be charged from them.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2016.