Tanker mafia reaps profits amid water crisis in Rawalpindi
A man supplies water from a tanker in a neighbourhood in Karachi where advent of summers means water shortage and added expenses of purchasing it from tankers. photo: Jalal Qureshi/express
Despite the onset of the monsoon season and the heavy downpours across the country, the garrison city is witnessing an acute shortage of potable water.
Sensing the grave situation of the shortage of water supply, the tanker mafia has started fleecing the consumers as the illegal buying and selling of water through tankers continues unabated in Rawalpindi.
A tanker load of water is being sold to consumers at Rs5,000 to Rs8,000.
Muhammad Imtiaz, a resident of UC-78 Dhok Jabbi, told The Express Tribune that the MNAs and MPAs of the previous Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government had promised the area residents that potable water would be provided to them in abundance but despite being in power for about four years, the promise could not be fulfilled.
He said a large population of Dhok Jabbi lived in rented houses. “Landlords charge Rs20,000 as rent for each room, but no well or underground borehole has been made for the supply of water,” he claimed.
Imtiaz said some local philanthropists provided drinking water to the residents but it was still insufficient to meet the needs of the people.
“Citizens fed up with water shortage buy water tankers. In winters, 500 litres of water was available for Rs2,000 but in the summers the same is available for Rs5,000 to Rs8,000,” he said and added that the water supplied in tankers was unsafe for human consumption.
Muhammad Imran, a resident of UC-78, said in summer, the tanker mafia blackmails the citizens and charges excessive money. “Even after paying Rs5,000 the tanker is available after six to eight days,” he said and added that residents of the area collect water from different houses.
“Residents of Gulistan Colony, New Chakra, Bhata Chowk, Misrial, Gawalmandi, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Pirwadhai, Katarian, Sadiqabad, Shakrial, Kurri Road and UCs 75, 76 and 77 also forced to buy water,” he added.
“In the city and cantt, three government water supply agencies, Water and Sewerage Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and Chaklala Cantonment Board, are helpless in front of the tanker mafia.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2023.