950812

New Karachi

facing water

shortage

KARACHI: The residents of New Karachi and North Karachi with a population over a few millions are facing acute water shortage since last few months.

Despite the heavy rain fall in catchment areas of Hub Dam from which these areas are fed, the water taps remain dry for fortnigts at a stretch.

The General Secretary of Pak Sindhi Surat Organisation (PSSO), Haji Qasim in a press statement here Saturday said that Executive Engineer (water) of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) concerned was informed of water scarcity in the area a number of times but siutation remained unchanged.

He said that various excuses have been forwarded by the concerned executive engineer like disruption in valve operation due to disturbed law and order situation in the city, no water pumping station for area 5-E, no water quota for the said area and now decreased water supply from Hub source.

The insiders of KWSB have a different tale to tell. According to them water is available and sole problem is of equitable distribution of water for the 4 sectors (5F, 5E, 5G and 5J) fed from the water pumping station located in area 5G.

They said that valve men seldom attend their duty. Besides the valveman for 5E area was allegedly suspended failing in gathering the required money from consumers (illegal gratification).

The secretary general PSSO said that slain PPP councillor, Sami Dehlvi got sanctioned the water pumping station scheme beside fund allocation for 5E, but work was delayed following his assasination. He appealed to the Managing Director KWSB to look into the genuine complaints by the residents and also to expedite the work on pumping station.

He said that an application in this regard has already been submitted to his office in May, 1995.-APP