KARACHI, Nov 18: The rising number of accidents in the city caused by drivers of water tankers and other vehicles has assumed a critical proportion.
The regularity of tankers in claiming precious lives has failed move the authorities to cope with the alarming situation. The incessant outcry of the print media and other organizations has also born no fruit.
Not a single case can be cited when the driver of water tanker was prosecuted. Consequently the number of water tanker victims has risen to a critical level during the last few months.
One major reason is the attitude of tanker-owners who force drivers to work for extra hours and, as a result to overcame their fatigue, the drivers use narcotics, hashish and other drugs.
Most drivers involved accidents were found to be under the influence of drugs, they were secured free by the owners even after fatal incidents.
The citizens ask why the police officials, despite driving maximum perks and benefit from the national exchequer, are reluctant to mitigate the miseries of people of Karachi.
After the taking over of the control of water tanker function by the rangers, the operators have become even more daring in their attitude, which is spelling disaster for the citizens. Recently the order of the city government regarding the closure of a hydrant at the water pump in Federal B area which had become source of nuisance people was not carried out by the rangers.
City Nazim Naimatullah Khan had issued directives that the hydrant be closed as the movement of tankers was creating hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic and the water leaking from tankers was ruining the area roads. Yet the hydrant remains operational.
One of the ranger official reportedly said that although the residents were getting water from the Hub Dam, what would happen after 14 months when the dam went go dry.
Under such a situation when an influential figure like the city Nazim is unable to implement his orders, how can an ordinary citizen expect things to change for the better.—PPI
