The Managing Director of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB), Asadullah Khan Thursday said that Karachi was facing 700 MGD shortage of water and only 45 percent of the required water is available.
He said not a single project of water supply had completed since 14 years despite the speedy increase of population in Karachi.
Speaking at a meeting of Korangi Association of Trade & Industry (KATI), Asadullah said that industry is the lifeline of the country and we understand its significance, however the board was facing many problems.
He said that after the establishment of new pumping station in Dhabeji 40 MGD of water would be secured which would benefit the industry and people of the city.
He said that no unfair dues would be charged from industries.
He said that a review petition has been filed with the apex court regarding charges on subsoil water. "Our suggestion was 7 paisa per liter and industry was demanding 5 paisa per liter. After deliberations we would present our terms to the court," he added.
He announced that a senior official of KWSB, Saeed Sheikh has been made focal person for the area. We have also allotted a pair of sanitation machinery to remove the hurdles in sewerage system.
KATI President Sheikh Umer Rehan said although recoveries from the industry are hundred percent, it has been deprived of water.
He said even the sewerage issue wasn't resolved and streets and roads of Korangi Industrial Area have turned into pools. He urged the MD to resolve this issue on priority basis.
Umer Rehan said that industry was also facing a huge cost of doing business and water crisis making it worse. "It is hitting the exports of the country badly."
KITE Chairman Zubair Chhaya said that KWSB was asking for dues from the industry which we will not pay.
He said the government is not providing water so we opt for the subsoil option... surprisingly it is also being charged, which is not acceptable.
Masood Naqi demanded that quota of water should be fixed for Korangi Industrial Area.
He urged the KWSB MD to raise industrialists' concerns during the litigation process.