CDA cracking down on illegal water lines

Disciplinary action against six officials involved in theft under way

ISLAMABAD: As the city struggles with a worsening water crisis, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched a crackdown against illegal water connections which have been installed on main supply lines from the Simly Filtration Plant.

In this regard, the civic agency has constituted a special ‘disconnection squad’ in collaboration with Union Council (UC) chairmen, police and the director enforcement who would carry out operations on a daily basis till all illegal connections are severed.

Water Supply Production -I have appointed Deputy Director Hadi Hussain Shah as the head of the squad, while Assistant Director Muhammad Idrees will assist him.

This is the first time the city’s managers and elected representatives have joined hands and taken concrete steps to resolve the issue of water theft from the main supply lines.

Earlier in March, CDA Member Administration Yasir Peerzada had decided to resolve the issue of water theft from the main water supply line and ordered a probe to fix responsibility for the theft.

Simly Dam Deputy Director Adnan Younas was appointed as an inquiry officer and was tasked with submitting a set of recommendations after determining the facts of the matter.

Younas was further directed to conduct a detailed physical inspection of the main supply line and names those who were either directly or indirectly involved in water theft.

Based on the official’s subsequent report, six officials were held directly or indirectly responsible for water theft from the main supply line and were suspended in April.

Moreover, disciplinary proceedings were started against these officials, the process for which continues with charge sheets served.

Earlier in February, the mayor had launched a plan to plug leaks in the 40 kilometre–long supply line which provides water to the capital from the Simly Dam.

The CDA and the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) has taken a number of steps to upgrade and revamp the water supply system in the city but has largely been unable to contain the situation.

Funds were released and a number of corrective steps were taken to resolve the issue permanently.

Moreover, CDA and IMC are also repairing and maintaining the main water supply line in addition to removing illegal connections from
the line.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2017.