Despite supply of more water than what is allocated, many localities in Landhi Town are facing extreme water shortage, as the strong tanker mafia steals the water from main lines. On the other hand administrations of Landhi Town as well as Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) had failed to close down illegal hydrant operating in the area.
Despite numerous reports about rapid growth of illegal hydrants, no action had been taken by the concerned administration resulting in the water shortage for inhabitants of poor localities. The example of Landhi Town could best explain how tanker mafia, with the support of local police and KW&SB officials, stealing huge amount of water from bulk supply lines and ultimately causing shortage for those who could otherwise get the same.
According to a survey report of Orangi Pilot Project on town-wise quota of water supply, the quota of Landhi Town is 16mgd and it receives 20mgd, which is 125 percent of the actual quota. Despite receiving much more than what is allocated for them, many localities in Landhi Town are receiving less or no drinking water. The same survey showed that by 2008 the number of illegal hydrants operating in city was 161 and those in Landhi Town were at least five.
In a media report earlier this year it was reported that as many as nine illegal hydrants were operating along SM Farooq Road (Korangi Industrial Area) and it was learnt during a recent visit that two more illegal hydrants had been established in the same area taking the total to 11. The number of illegal hydrants in city had crossed 200. However no action had been taken against them.
The investigations revealed that each hydrant was bribing 1 thousand rupees to SP office and the same amount to the SHOs of concerned police stations. Representatives of both the stations collect the amount weekly from the hydrants. Since water is being stolen from KWSB line, the hydrants are also giving a handsome amount of money to the officials of KWSB.
The sources told that they are being paid from Rs 25000 to Rs 30,000. According to estimates, around 100,000 gallons of water per hour is being stolen from main KW&SB lines. Landhi Town is one example of illegal hydrants but a large number of such illegal water hydrants are located particularly in Korangi Town, Super Highway and Manghopir.
The shortage of potable water caused by tanker mafia had compelled people to consume unsafe underground water. Majority of these water tankers supply water to residential areas as well as hotels and restaurants in Korangi Town, Landhi Town, Garden East, Korangi Mill Area, DHA, Karachi Fish Harbour, Manzoor Colony, Akhtar Colony, Mehmoodabad, New Karachi Industrial Area and other parts of the city where facing acute water shortage.
When contacted, Landhi Town Nazim, Mohammad Hameed said that the Town administration had submitted written reports to the officials of KW&SB, Town Police Officer and other concerned officials but no action had been taken against them. To a question he said that town administration could not take action against the illegal hydrants.
He further told that every time there was a new hydrant, KW&SB administration was informed immediately. A number of attempts were made, but the concerned officials of KW&SB were not available to answer why these illegal hydrants were still mushrooming despite the instruction of City Nazim Mustafa Kamal to shut down each and every illegal hydrant.
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