Illegal hydrants: Sharjeel leads crackdown

Says govt has made it clear that no one can challenge its writ .

KARACHI:

Sindh Minister for Information and Local Bodies Sharjeel Inam Memon said on Saturday that providing safe drinking water to Karachiites remains a priority of the provincial government.

Talking to journalists after leading an operation against illegal hydrants in the Manghopir area of the city, he said that a crackdown on illegal hydrants has started, and by conducting a successful operation in Manghopir, where two illegal hydrants were demolished, the government has made it clear that no one could challenge its writ.

Sharjeel went on to say that courts should stop interfering in the development projects initiated by the city or provincial government, and should rather focus on giving relief to people. The courts should be supporting the government instead of issuing stay orders against development projects.

The operation was carried out in the presence of DIG West Javed Alam Odho, SSP West Irfan Baloch, MD Water Board Qutubuddin Sheikh and others. Two illegal hydrants were demolished and a suspect was also taken into custody.

The provincial minister asked the MD Water Board to carry out operation against all illegal hydrants in the area and submit a report within the next 24 hours.

Previously, Manghopir was considered a ‘no-go area’ therefore the crackdown against illegal hydrants couldn’t yield results, Sharjeel said. He thanked the officials for extending their departmental support to make the crackdown a success.

The minister also stated that a seven-day ultimatum has been given to Water Board officials, after which if any illegal hydrant is found functioning it will lead to the suspension of concerned official, and he will also be tried in court.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2014.