The utility responsible for the supply of water and the channeling of sewage through its sewerage system is likely yo be upgraded from a board to corporation.
Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) through a legislative action will be designated as Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, top officials of the board said.
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation Act is set to play a crucial role in improving the operations of KWSB. Upon the implementation of the Act, measures will be taken to enhance the financial recovery of the KWSB. To this end, a comprehensive list of KWSB defaulters and a recovery procedure have been prepared.
KWSB Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Engineer Syed Sallahuddin Ahmed, announced the introduction of a Digital Complaint Centre to promptly address water and sewage-related complaints from the general public.
Furthermore, Ahmed revealed plans to outsource control at the town level to improve facilities. Qualified contractors in 26 towns across Karachi will assume their responsibilities under the Act. Additionally, the bill recovery process will be outsourced at the district level to boost revenue.
Various provincial and federal departments owe KWSB a total of Rs12 billion, whereas bulk and retail consumers have arrears amounting to Rs38 billion. Once these arrears are cleared, the funds will be allocated first to the employees of the KWSB to settle their long-standing dues. He shared details of the water board's projects with the media at the North East Karachi (NEK) Filter Plant Water Board near Saadi Town.
KWSB Chief Operating Officer Engineer Asadullah Khan, along with other senior officials of the water board, were present at the event. Addressing the media, the CEO stated that the latest act grants the KWSB special powers to recover arrears from various institutions and individuals, while ensuring discounted water rates for impoverished, slum, and suburban residents of the city.
Moreover, under the Corporation Act, dedicated police stations will be established for the water board, aiding in the prevention of incidents like water theft and line breaks.
Negligent employees will be subjected to a fine of Rs50,000. Illegal diversion of water flow will result in a fine of Rs0.2 million, while damaging the electric lines of water supply motors will incur a fine of Rs0.3 million.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2023.
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