Problem solving: Chief Minister discusses water scarcity solutions

A subsidy of one billion rupees has been approved to alleviate water crisis.

KARACHI:

Taking notice of the issue of water scarcity in the city, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the Karachi Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KWSB) officials, police and Rangers to conduct a joint operation against the illegal water hydrants and water connections to put a stop the water theft.

Presiding over the meeting at CM House on Monday to review the performance of the KWSB, Shah stressed the need to expedite the operation against water theft. He directed the management of the KWSB to submit a list of the locations of all the illegal water hydrants, and the names and other details of all the factories that are engaged in water theft.

The chief minister also directed the Additional IGP Karachi and Rangers DG to provide full support to their forces to demolish the illegal water hydrants and connections from the factories. He also directed the KWSB management to streamline the electric supply to their pump houses by closely coordinating with K-Electric. A subsidy of a billion rupees has also been approved to ensure the matter is resolved.

Shah said that a rapid increase in the population, water theft activities and the scarcity of rain has led to an acute water shortage in the city. Regarding drinking water schemes, he said that the provincial government has been urging the federal government to launch the K-4 greater water project for the city, which should be launched by the next financial year.

Scheme for Dhaibeji pumping station

The chief minister also approved a scheme for the KWSB to upgrade Dhaibeji pumping station at an estimated cost of Rs1.2 billion. He directed the officers to begin work on the project immediately. The scheme will increase 100 million gallons of water per day to the supply system of the KWSB. After the meeting, Sindh local government minister Sharjeel Memon briefed  the media that there is a demand of 1,000 million gallons of water per day whereas the KWSB only provides 605 million gallons of water, while the rest is stolen through 60 to 70 illegal water hydrants and connections.

He added that though he has launched a strict campaign against illegal water hydrants there are still at least 70 such water hydrants currently operating in the city, especially in the district West areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2014.