HYDERABAD, Aug 6: The water shortage issue in the city again dominated the proceedings of the district council on Wednesday as city areas did not get supply of water despite assurance by Water and Sanitation Agency officials.

The issue was raised in the session by Dr Saifur Rehman who was supported by women councillors Firdous Abro and Sumera Akhlaq.

They said that despite assurance that water would be provided to the residential areas in 24 hours, it was not done and added that while water release into Akram Wah, supplying water to some city areas, was suspended 20 days back, the water shortage continued in their areas before the canal’s closure.

They maintained that there were also complaints of supply of contaminated water.

Ehsan Mamoon informed the session that out of 90 per cent water supplied to Latifabad taluka, only 10 per cent was filtered water while the rest was unfiltered which was sucked directly from the machines with the help of suction pumps by Wasa officials.

He said that residents of Latifabad were not getting even the unfiltered water which was causing a host of difficulties.

When Firdous Abro directly addressed Wasa managing director, the presiding officer restrained her, directing her to address him.

Naseeruddin Humayun pointed out that hardly 10 feet away from Amani Shah pumping station, a six inch line was illegally obtained for a private housing society in connivance with the Hyderabad Development Authority officials.

He said that when he asked HDA executive engineer to lodge an FIR about the matter, he took no interest, indicating that he was also hand in glove with those stealing water.

He proposed that an investigation should be initiated into the matter.

Wasa MD M. Tahir informed the session that for the last 10 days, only one foot water was released into Akram Wah from Kotri Barrage.

He said that from Hala Naka water works, Wasa supplied more than 10 million gallon of water to a large number of city areas but presently there was no water at the station.

He said that the irrigation officials were requested to release water so much that suction pumps could suck water for their water works.

He, however, said that he had been assured by the irrigation SDO that the situation would start normalising in 24 hours.