No end in sight to capital’s chronic water woes

Residents blame CDA water directorate for incompetence

ISLAMABAD:

Residents of other cities of the country may have an ardent aspiration for living in the capital for many believe that it is the ideal place to live but this is merely harbouring an illusion for if truth be told the capital is replete with numerous problems, the foremost being water shortage.

The federal capital is no different than other cities as a vast majority of dwellers particularly in Sectors F, G, I, and some other sectors, rural areas, and various colonies have to face the foremost problem of severe water scarcity, which becomes a nightmare in summer.

Some attribute the problem to the incompetence of the water directorate, while others think it is the apathy of the city managers'.

Lack of initiative to build more water reservoirs and official mismanagement are major reasons to make life a harrowing ordeal for citizens.

Dilapidated pipelines, excessive wastage and inadequate infrastructure were some of the reasons for this state of affairs complained residents.

As the population has increased manifold over the years water woes have exacerbated.

Water boring has become a common trend with the result that the ground water table has been reduced.

Another common complaint is the exorbitant amount charged by tankers for which the water mafia is reaping a windfall.

Capital Development Authority when contacted a senior officer explained that a comprehensive programme with a cost of over Rs 400 million was under way to rehabilitate supply lines, waterworks, and treatment plants in the city.

A sum of Rs200 million had been allocated to the water directorate for the execution of the plan and currently rehabilitation work at 71 points was being carried out to fix the issue effectively.

Another officer responding to a query said the capital needed over 150 million gallons of water per day but currently, only half of it was being supplied to the people from four small water reservoirs, tube wells, Simli, Khanpur, and Rawal dams.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2021.