"During the operation, we also demolished an ice factory and a textile factory that were using illegal water connections," Rashid Siddiqui of the KWSB.
The operations were conducted in different areas, including Landhi, Korangi and Chamra Chowrangi. The illegal hydrants were being run by a powerful nexus of political and police mafia, said KWSB’s Rashid Siddiqui, who is leading the campaign against illegal hydrants. “We have demolished all illegal hydrants located in Malir, Korangi and Bin Qasim town and have started planning raids in other parts of the city,” he said. “During the operation, we also demolished an ice factory and a textile factory that were using illegal water connections.”
The drive is being conducted on the direction of Local Government Minister Owais Muzzaffar while KWSB managing director Quttubuddin Sheikh and deputy managing director Najmi Alam Siddiqui are also involved in the operation.
Sheikh explained that along with providing water to the residents of Karachi, dealing with illegal hydrants was also KWSB’s responsibility. According to the managing director, the operation will only be completely successful if the city’s water supply issues are resolved, hence nipping the illegal hydrants problem in the bud.
Sheikh also stressed on the need for stricter policies and measures against the water tankers mafia and proposed fixing prices for all legal water hydrants. The water mafia is stealing 15 to 20 million gallons of water daily and selling it at high prices to private and commercial customers, he claimed.
Sheikh concluded by talking about the importance of collaboration between all involved authorities, including the police.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2013.
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