Anger over water woes boils over

Months without water pushes residents onto streets, triggering hours-long protests

KARACHI:

A simmering water crisis boiled over on Friday as hundreds of residents of Qayyumabad took to the streets in protest against a four-month-long disruption in water supply, bringing one of Karachi's busiest traffic junctions to a standstill and exposing the growing frustration of citizens over the failure to provide a basic necessity of life.

The hours-long blockade at Qayyumabad Chowrangi stranded thousands of commuters in sweltering heat, disrupted public transport services and sent traffic chaos rippling across adjoining roads, while protesters demanded concrete action rather than what they described as years of broken promises from water authorities.

Protesters erected barricades and placed stones on the roadway, bringing traffic to a complete halt. Residents accused the Water Corporation of failing to provide regular water supply for the past four months, forcing families to purchase water at high prices amid rising inflation. "We have been without water for months. Whatever comes through the pipelines is often dirty and contaminated," protesters said.

The blockade caused long queues of vehicles under intense heat and direct sunlight. Many commuters, including elderly passengers, were forced to leave public transport and continue their journeys on foot. Large crowds waiting at bus stops were also left stranded due to the disruption of public transport services.

Local community representatives addressing the protesters said they had received assurances from Water Corporation officials that water supply would resume from the following day. However, residents rejected what they called "repeated empty promises" and demanded that senior officials visit Qayyumabad and provide a permanent solution to the crisis.

"The time for assurances has passed. We need action, not promises," one representative told the gathering, warning that protests would continue until a sustainable water supply was ensured.

The demonstrators also appealed to Karachi's mayor and other senior authorities to intervene, saying that residents - including children, and the elderly - have been suffering due to the prolonged shortage of a basic necessity.

The protest severely disrupted traffic flow from Korangi Creek to Qayyumabad, with motorists and motorcyclists struggling to find alternate routes. Commuters trapped in the gridlock endured hours of delays as authorities worked to restore normal traffic movement.

Residents have called on higher authorities to take immediate action and ensure uninterrupted water supply to the area, warning that public frustration is growing.