KARACHI, March 31: Owners of private water tankers have announced an increase of Rs150 to Rs200 in the price of a single trip.

Price of a single water tank till March 15 was up to Rs400. The price of brackish water is, however, low. A single trip of saline water costs around Rs300 to Rs350, which is normally purchased by people belonging to the low-income group.

According to the tanker operators, they charge a single trip keeping in view the locality. Tanker operators in Orangi Town, when asked, said that the rates for developed areas were high as compared to the katchi abadis.

It was told that the price was sometimes raised due to police challans as well.

Tanker operators said that during summer water became a rare commodity and they had to pay the police and other officials for filling the tankers.

A number of these operators, however, suggested setting up of government hydrants from where they could obtain water at a fixed rate and then only would be in a position to supply the same at a reasonable rate to the masses as there would be no involvement of police in the entire process.