The KWSB chief is back... with a mission
Misbahuddin Farid vows to shut down illegal water hydrants in Karachi.
KARACHI:
Just two days after resigning from his post, Misbahuddin Farid, the managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), is back in office with a mission to shut down all illegal water hydrants in the city.
The KWSB chief’s resignation was followed by scathing criticism and allegations against the water board for allowing the commercial sale of water in Karachi. The illegal hydrants take out water from the KWSB’s main pipelines and sell it across the city via tankers. Only six hydrants are authorised by the board, but dozens of them operate from makeshift houses and plants.
Farid resumed charge on Saturday after his resignation was rejected by Agha Siraj Durrani, the provincial local government minister - whose domain includes the KWSB. “No one can run a hydrant without the knowledge of [neighbourhood] police,” said Farid at a press conference, all charged up and speaking like an unduly victimised politician. “I have dared to confront criminals. My life is in danger. The lives of my staff are in danger.”
Blaming the police for protecting criminals, he said no hydrant can run without tacit approval of an SHO. “Let the inspector general of police suspend four to five SHOs and you will see all the hydrants will shut down automatically.”
He did not, however, rule out the involvement of water board staff in allowing theft of water. “Point out such officials and we will take action against them,” he vowed.
“A group of 60 to 70 men have the clout [to operate illegal hydrants] from Manghopir to Baldia,” Farid said. The water board has registered 222 cases against such hydrants.
About the absence of a supply in many areas, the KWSB managing director believed that lower income localities cannot afford to buy water tankers. “Hydrants meet the needs of the rich only. Most of this water goes to DHA and factories in SITE area.”
Karachi’s demand is 1,100 million gallons of water per day but the actual supply is around 450 million gallons.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.
Just two days after resigning from his post, Misbahuddin Farid, the managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), is back in office with a mission to shut down all illegal water hydrants in the city.
The KWSB chief’s resignation was followed by scathing criticism and allegations against the water board for allowing the commercial sale of water in Karachi. The illegal hydrants take out water from the KWSB’s main pipelines and sell it across the city via tankers. Only six hydrants are authorised by the board, but dozens of them operate from makeshift houses and plants.
Farid resumed charge on Saturday after his resignation was rejected by Agha Siraj Durrani, the provincial local government minister - whose domain includes the KWSB. “No one can run a hydrant without the knowledge of [neighbourhood] police,” said Farid at a press conference, all charged up and speaking like an unduly victimised politician. “I have dared to confront criminals. My life is in danger. The lives of my staff are in danger.”
Blaming the police for protecting criminals, he said no hydrant can run without tacit approval of an SHO. “Let the inspector general of police suspend four to five SHOs and you will see all the hydrants will shut down automatically.”
He did not, however, rule out the involvement of water board staff in allowing theft of water. “Point out such officials and we will take action against them,” he vowed.
“A group of 60 to 70 men have the clout [to operate illegal hydrants] from Manghopir to Baldia,” Farid said. The water board has registered 222 cases against such hydrants.
About the absence of a supply in many areas, the KWSB managing director believed that lower income localities cannot afford to buy water tankers. “Hydrants meet the needs of the rich only. Most of this water goes to DHA and factories in SITE area.”
Karachi’s demand is 1,100 million gallons of water per day but the actual supply is around 450 million gallons.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.