KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board has failed to curb huge water theft from an 84-inch-dia pipeline from the North-East Karachi (NEK) pumping station to Hub pumping station, it emerged on Monday.

Between 10 million gallons daily and 25 MGD is being stolen from the said pipeline on a daily basis. The stolen water was subsequently sold by the “water mafia” to various factories in different industrial areas of the city. Around four months back, KWSB chief Misbahuddin Farid had directed the officials concerned of the water utility to close the line, but so far no action had been taken and the theft of water continues.

On Monday, the KWSB chief once again ordered the immediate closure of the pipeline.

Chairing a meeting, he warned the officials that stern action would be taken against them if the pipeline was not closed down immediately.

According to a statement, he observed that the “water mafia” had damaged the pipeline at various spots to steal the water and due to which the condition of the pipeline had become precarious.

With the closure of the said pipeline, between 10MGD and 25MGD of water would be saved and could be distributed among the water-deficient areas of the city during summer.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017