May 30, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1429

KARACHI, May 29: Several towns of the city have been witnessing street protests over disruption in water supply through tankers for many days as certain hydrants taken over by the town administration weeks back have not yet be made operational.

The worst-affected localities appeared to be those which were earlier receiving tanker water supplies from the now dismantled hydrants located in Muslimabad. The hydrants — Muslimabad Hydrant and Sydnum Hydrant — were closed down by the KWSB last week in pursuance of a Sindh High Court ruling.

Though the KWSB had made alternative arrangements for supply of tanker water to all those benefiting from the two hydrants, except the residents of the Defence Housing Society, there are complaints of a serious disruption in water supply to many areas.

The residents of DHA getting water from the hydrants are also facing difficulties as the KWSB has refused to arrange for the supplies from an alternative source, maintaining that it was the responsibility of the DHA and not the KWSB.

According to sources, around 1,000-1,200 tankers had been employed to supply water on a daily basis to the DHA residents from the Muslimabad hydrants for many years.

All the nine hydrants taken over by the KWSB recently from the Rangers have now been given under the control of their respective town municipal administrations to handle the operation. The other towns were supposed to set up their own hydrants for the purpose.

However, several towns have yet to set up a hydrant within their jurisdiction, causing difficulties to their population in getting the supplies.