Water supply tankers hike rates

Tanker operators in twin cities are charging Rs4,000 to Rs5,000 for a water tanker

RAWALPINDI: With the temperature rising and water supply decreasing, tanker operators in twin cities have started charging Rs4,000 to Rs5,000 for a water tanker. As the civic authorities failed to ensure regular, uninterrupted supply during the scorching summer, tanker owners are fleecing customers, charging about three times for the same water tanker which before sealing illegal water hydrants were between Rs1,000 to Rs1,500. The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) on the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan sealed 48 illegal water hydrants in different areas of the cantonment limits during last two days to overcome the crisis. However, the closure has forced the residents to buy tankers on higher prices because the truckers instead of filling from the now sealed hydrants have to drive further away to buy water resulting in higher cost of fuel and labour.  

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2018.