RCB’s water tankers cease operations

Cantt authorities fail to alternatively ensure supply of water to residents

RAWALPINDI:

The water tanker system meant for supplying water in the areas of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has been completely paralysed.

With three water tankers grounded due to breakdown, only two are left functional but they also fail to perform the duty of supplying water due to lack of availability of diesel for these tankers.

According to sources, the miserable situation has led to the accumulation of complaints pertaining to the lack of water supply by a large number of citizens.

The sources said that given the availability of only two tankers, the water supply has been restricted only to the VIPs instead of common citizens.

“Due to lack of diesel supply, these functional water tankers are only used when they are supplied diesel,” the sources said. “Otherwise, these two water tankers are also kept grounded,” they added.

Meanwhile, no serious efforts have been made by the RCB officials concerned to increase the number of tankers and keep those available in working condition.

Despite several announcements and claims made in this regard, nothing has been done in practice.

When contacted, Personal Assistant to the Cantonment Executive Officer and In-charge of Water Tankers, Rehan, told The Express Tribune: “We do not have enough capacity to provide tankers to the citizens on their complaints. However, if you need tankers for your personal needs, it can be arranged but for that too, permission has to be obtained from the CEO.”

It should be noted that the residents of the RCB, which consists of 10 wards and sprawling residential areas in addition to the business centres, do not have access to potable water as per their requirements and they are forced to seek water tankers from the RCB. However, due to the decrease in the number of tankers and the breakdown of most of the tankers, the citizens do not get water tankers.

On the other hand, the water tankers of other government agencies are being filled throughout the day from the hydrants attached to the large overhead tank at the RCB’s Westridge.

The RCB not only does not ensure water supply to the citizens paying their taxes and the water supply bill but also does not alternatively provides them with water through water tankers.

This forces the citizens to pay the water supply bill to the RCB but purchase the water from private tankers. The rate for a small private tanker is Rs3,000 and for a large tanker is Rs4,500.

Cantt residents Muhammad Sharif, Shabbir Ahmed and Shehbaz say that getting water tankers from the RCB by paying charges is an extremely difficult task.

“We only get the water [supply] for 30-40 minutes on alternative days at our houses and in case of a power outage, we are even deprived of this supply of water,” they told The Express Tribune.

It should be noted that the RCB’s water supply system is dependent on tube wells and the Khanpur Dam Water Supply Project and due to the intensity of heat and load shedding, the citizens are currently facing a difficult situation in getting water.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2023.