KARACHI, June 18: The city government on Wednesday decided to close down all privately-run hydrants — licensed or unlicensed — with immediate effect.

The decision was taken by the city government’s advisory committee which had received a large number of complaints, through City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, by town Nazims that the tankers drawing water from hydrants had been causing extensive damage to numerous roads in the metropolis.

The Town Nazims also complained that many private hydrants were also responsible for water shortage in their areas of operation. In this regard, they pointed out that the hydrants, in order to run their business smoothly, used to steal water from pipelines in their respective areas ultimately causing a shortage.

On being told that the city government’s health department has not issued a permit to any private hydrant, the meeting decided to close down all the private hydrant, either they had the required NOC or not.

The ban on private hydrants’ operation will remain in place until the completion of a detailed survey to be conducted by the administrations of the towns where they are located, according to the decision. All the Town Nazims have been asked to complete the survey and submit their reports within a week. Officials of the Water and Sanitation Department have also been directed to cooperate with town administrations in the process.

The meeting further decided that cooperation of police would be sought in disconnecting illegal connections obtained by the hydrants’ operators.

With regard to the issues related to the hydrants in Site Town and Gutter Baghicha area, the DCO has been asked to review the situation.

It may be mentioned here that more than 114 private hydrants are operating in various parts of the city without obtaining the required NOC from the health department. Most of them are selling water as ‘potable’ but absolutely not fit for human consumption. Though people appeared content with whatever quality and quantity of water they receive on payment of a high rate amid an acute shortage, they remain unaware of the serious health hazards associated with the consumption of the commodity.

The City Nazim asked the W&S officials at the meeting to take control of all water schemes of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).

SURVEY: The meeting was told that the committee, set up by the Nazim to ascertain the number of highrise buildings and identify sites for low-cost housing schemes along the two sides of Northern Bypass and other places, would accomplish the task in coordination with the Master Plan Department.