KWSB faces difficulties curbing illegal hydrants due to lack of police coordination

November 18, 2009


By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Karachi water and sewerage Board (KWSB) could not complete the operation for the disconnection of illegal water hydrants due to law and order situation in Gadap town.
KWSB additional chairman Moin Khan told daily Times that he had received a report from a vigilance team that the water tanker mafia had stolen connections from bulk line so he had assigned the task to KWSB Chief Engineer Najam Alam. However, the Chief Engineer and his team could disconnect 2 of 3 illegal water Raees Mianwali hydrants in Gadap Town.
The operator of the Raees Mianwali water hydrants had obtained 3-inch diameter water connections from 66-inch bulk water supply line while the water supply business was done at night, Khan added.
The KWSB has been actively monitoring water bulk lines and responded immediately against establishment of any water pilferage by the hydrant mafia. The KWSB has since last three months, removed 70 illegal water hydrants while more than 110 connections were sealed, said Khan.
The KWSB Chief Engineer Najam Alam told Daily Times that due to two reasons, the hydrant mafia has been inflicting damage to the water infrastructure, including lack of citizens’ participation against the use of water hydrants and lack of coordination by the Law Enforcement Agencies especially Police.
The reason behind incomplete operation against Raees Mianwali Hydrants was that the hydrant mafia had tried to create law and order situation so the KWSB team had to postpone the operation, said Alam.
In fact, the Pakistan Rangers do not directly provide protection because it was Police’s job to do so. The Pakistan Rangers could only join after the DIG Police would proceed with a formal request for necessary back up in this regard on KWSB’s request. However, Police seldom joins the KWSB team on these occasions, regretted Alam.
There are various other areas in city where the hydrant mafia is flourishing only due to lack of Police’s coordination. There are still 3 illegal water hydrants operating in Chakra Goth, Korangi Town, 4 illegal water hydrants operating in Sherpao Colony, Landhi Town and 20 illegal water hydrants operating in Ayub Goth in Scheme 33, Gadap Town with more than 60 water connections, said Alam.The KWSB was after these hydrants and as soon as the Police protection was ensured, these illegal hydrants would also be removed, vowed Alam.