KARACHI, Oct 22: Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Special Projects, Mumtaz Hamid, has said that blasts for excavation of sand from the surrounding areas of the Hub reservoir might cause damage to it.

In a meeting with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) officials here on Tuesday at his office, he urged the police and other authorities concerned to take cognizance of the practice and stop it.

The advisor was informed that the license for lifting of sand in the surroundings of the reservoir was issued by the Sindh Mines and Mineral Development Department.

The advisor said that condition of the reservoir was pathetic and the silt accumulated in the reservoir had not been removed for the last 12 years, which had reduced its storage capacity and resulted in a high concentration of silt in the water.

“No official of the KW&SB was present at the reservoir when I visited the place,” he said adding that the cylinders placed there for chlorinating water were not sufficient for the purpose.

The KW&SB officials informed the advisor that 60mgd water was expected to be released before Ramazan, and it would be gradually increased to 100mgd.

Terming nonpayment of bills by consumers the main obstacle in carrying out mega projects, they added that only four per cent of them paid their bills regularly.

They said that they had taken action against illegal hydrants in the city several times, but each time those hydrants had made a comeback.—PPI