Residents of Landhi, Quaidabad and Korangi, where alleged illegal hydrants were demolished on Sunday, were concerned that they had almost no options for clean drinking water. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
As part of its drive against illegal hydrants in the city, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) cut off connections of 10 alleged illegal hydrants in Landhi, Quaidabad and Korangi on Sunday. Residents and those running the hydrants, however, have accused the drive of being biased and in some cases, even unlawful.
“Please don’t destroy it [hydrant], it’s a legal one! At least go through the papers and come back tomorrow if it turns out to be illegal,” shouted the hydrant’s owner, Sikander Saeed, while holding legal documents in his hands, the copies of which are available with The Express Tribune. The police force accompanied by the KWSB officials equipped with heavy machinery, however, demolished Saeed’s hydrant without going through the papers. “I’m a licence holder and submit Rs60,000 as annual fee but still they didn’t listen and destroyed my hydrant,” said Saeed.
According to him, he’s been running the sub-soil water hydrant for the last six years and the officials didn’t even bother verifying his documents. “It’s sub-soil water well and I have the court’s documents allowing me to sell water.”
Abdul Ghafoor, another hydrant owner, said that the officials destroyed many hydrants, including one which hasn’t been in use for the last 20 years, but didn’t touch one which was openly stealing potable water and causing trouble to the residents. The untouched hydrant could be seen functioning smoothly while the operation was carried out on the other side of the road. “It was just an operation to show their efficiency,” said Ghafoor.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, the board’s managing director, Qutubuddin Sheikh, said that those claiming their hydrants were legal, were making up stories. Sheikh said that he drank potable water from a hydrant which was legalised to sell only sub-soil water. “They (owners) take illegal connections from the water supply line and sell mixed water.”
Commenting on the hydrant which was left untouched, Sheikh said that he had obtained documents from the owners which will be verified, adding that if it turns out to be an illegal hydrant it’ll surely be demolished. “There are only 18 to 19 legal hydrants in the city and four to five have been demolished for violating rules. This one will not be spared if it’s illegal,” said Sheikh.
Muhammad Sajid Jokhio, a member of provincial assembly and vice chairperson of KWSB, said that it was the water board’s responsibility to provide water to the citizens and the crackdown was aimed at eradicating illegal hydrants and regularising legal ones in the city. “We are taking action against those running illegal hydrants. People with legal hydrants can save them by showing legal documents,” said Jokhio and moved on to the next hydrant.
Residents, however, were concerned that in the absence of the hydrants, they had almost no options for clean drinking water. They said that the hydrants were the only source of water to the mosques as well as when needed for weddings, funerals and any sports event organised in the area. “We take water from these hydrants in the absence of water supply,” said Faisal, a resident of Future Colony. “What is the alternative plan for the areas where hydrants have been destroyed,” asked a resident of Jamal Goth while standing outside a demolished hydrant. “Will KWSB ensure potable water in these areas?”
Resistance
Accompanies by Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Owais Muzaffar, KWSB officials also demolished illegal hydrants in Jumma Goth, Malir but faced resistance when those running the hydrants opened fire to escape.
Malir SSP Nasir Aftab said that no one was injured in the firing. Sharafi Goth SHO, sub-inspector Ikhlaq Ahmed, was also suspended for allegedly supporting illegal hydrant mafia.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
The new KWSB management took over almost 2 months ago while the Chairman was appointed 3 months back. The previous MD was not only taking action against illegal hydrants but had ensured a lot better water supply. Currently the Chairman, Vice Chairman, & MD all are taking action against illegal hydrants but they fail and there has been a continuous water shortage for past many days. Almost all newspaper report that a DMD who was recently appointed is patronizing the illegal works BUT he is not being removed from the post either by the MD nor the Chairman. This raises a question mark whether these operations are also being done in good faith or just to silence the media.