In the megacity of Karachi, a considerable proportion of drinking water is supplied over ground as opposed to underground as is the norm in most of the world. Like the past many years in hot summer months, most city residents are again experiencing an acute shortage of water. Over the years, the situation has only been deteriorating. Karachi suffers from water shortage all around the year though. A combination of power and water shortage makes life miserable for the people. The past few years have seen some improvement in power supply, but water shortage refuses to go. At present the city needs 12,00mgd water but officially it is supplied 550mgd only.
Out of this more than 100mgd is lost due to leakages and theft. Even when water shortage is at its peak during the hot summer months, it is available in sufficient quantity, if not in plenty, through tankers and in cans. Only those who have money can afford to have water, and others are compelled to buy it to stay alive. There are many localities in the city where residents have not received a single drop of water in their home taps for years, yet they go on paying KWSB bills for fear of disconnection. The bills keep growing.
The K-1V project, aimed to augment water supply to the city, was planned in the early 2000s. It was expected to be completed in 2019. In 20 years, it has not made much headway on the ground even though its paperwork continues to grow because of endless revisions of cost and changes in design. The Sindh government in its budget for 2020-21 has allocated a mere Rs150 million for the K-1V project. Initially, the scheme was expected to cost Rs25.5 billion. Government officials continue to blame one another for the delay. Informed circles say the project might not be put on line in another 20 years because of the involvement of vested interests.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2020.
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