The tankers mafia, illegal water connections and water hydrants have been the major hindrances in smooth supply of water to the citizens as Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) is grappling with the challenge to rein in the elements involved in these illegal practices.
Illegal trade of water in the city through legal or illegal water hydrants could not be stopped despite tall claims of KW&SB, causing worth rupees millions losses to the utility. The city is facing a water shortage of 100 MGD due to supply-cut from Hub Dam. But on the other hand, theft of 100 MGD through illegal hydrants and water connection is compounding the water woes of the citizens.
Though the water utility has launched operation against illegal water hydrants but sources said a number of illegal water hydrants are being operated in city under the patronage of influential people. They said that many of the KWSB officers were involved in the illegal trade of water which has affected water supply in various areas. Sources said that illegal trade of water was being carried out through more than 50 water hydrants through tankers mafia. They said that tankers mafia was directly involved in trading water in connivance with officers of KW&SB.
Some of the illegal water hydrants located in city include Orangi, Pak Colony, Mangopir, Gazar Phatak, Pipri and others. Sources inside the water utility told Business Recorder that most of the illegal connections from main line were in the industrial areas from where tanker mafia used to supply water to industries. They said KWSB has appeared toothless in curtailing illegal trade of water which has exposed the competence of its administration.
The major problem is that bulk of water is being stolen from legal hydrants which should be stopped immediately in order to save the water utility from incurring heavy losses, but the board has kept itself aloof from water theft from legal hydrants. The KWSB management always briefs the Sindh government about the presence of illegal hydrants while the theft from legal hydrants is not mentioned," source inside KWSB said. Sources said KWSB is facing financial problems to the tune of Rs 800 million every year due to low recovery from its operational water hydrants in the city. They said that KWSB earned barely Rs 10 to 12 million annually from its water hydrants established in different parts of the city just because these hydrants are manned by corrupt officials.
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