KW&SB officials patron of illegal hydrants, says KWTOWA

December 22, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Despite stern measures and imposition of section 144 of Cr PC by the City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has failed to curb operations of illegal water hydrants in city.

KWSB officials have been blaming law enforcement agencies for not providing security during disconnection campaign.

These officials have tie and again said that the Police of area concerned were involved in the menace for money. On the other hand, Hydrant Owners have alleged KWSB officials were behind the menace.

As well, KWSB Chief Engineer Bulk Najmi Alam had recently told Daily Times that a high profile religious scholar was also involved in illegal hydrant business and has been operating an illegal hydrant in SITE town’s limits.

Alam had also said that during disconnection move of the illegal hydrant, supporters of that scholar had created law and order situation while Police of the area concerned had lagged to take any action. Henceforth, the disconnection could not complete.

There are around 200 illegal hydrants that are operating in the city while ancient conduit has also been damaged for digging out a connection.

It has also been alleged that KWSB officials were involved in selling water quota for the residents of certain residential colonies especially Malir Town to industries for hefty bribe. In this regard, a member of City Council Afsar Khan had pointed out this on various occasions.

There are certain popular hydrants, areas and owners or operators with majority of illegal hydrants such as Raees Mianwali hydrant, Future Colony and alongside the Liyari River, hydrants in Chakra Goth, Zia Colony and Sharifabad, Manghopir, Ayub Goth at Super Highway, Malir Town, Landhi Town and Gadap Town. M Jan Afridi, M Mushtaque and Mashallah, a police officer named Khanzada and others including Iqbal Soomro and Niazi run illegal hydrants in Korangi Town.

Karachi Water Tankers Owners Welfare Association’s (KWTOWA) General Secretary Hazoor Bux told Daily Times that the Chief Engineer Najmi Alam, Executive Engineer of area concerned and other KWSB officials were behind illegal hydrants for hefty money.
Bux claimed that Najmi Alam had received Rs 200,000 to 400,000 for awarding permission for illegal hydrant. As well, each water tanker owner pays Rs 400 to these hydrant operators for water filling for 2,000 gallons, he alleged.
Bux further claimed that the Town Municipal Administrations concerned have been extorting Rs 100,000 from each of illegal water hydrants monthly falling in their limits. Recently, the TMAs have raised monthly fee up to Rs 200,000 per hydrant.
Bux said that six month ago, he on behalf of KWTOWA had written an appeal to KWSB Managing Director Qutbuddin Sheikh for ban of illegal hydrants and curbing KWSB officials’ involvement but to no avail.
Bux also said that on Monday, Dec 21, he had called a well-placed officer in the CDGK and had given him a letter on the same issue so that necessary measures could be taken regarding control of illegal hydrants in the city.