THE Supreme Court has observed that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has exposed the citizens to avoidable waterborne diseases.

The judges noted in the order that as a consequence of the “callous disregard by the KWSB of its duty”, government hospitals were overburdened with those suffering from waterborne diseases.

The report says that a KWSB official has disclosed that water pilferage through illegal hydrants has not been completely curbed. The report calls for police action against the culprits, but KWSB officials are rather reluctant to register any FIR against illegal-hydrant-runners.

The revelation about illegal hydrants is also supported by the statement made by ABAD’s acting chairman, who stated that the price of 1000 gallons of water through pipelines was Rs245, whereas through a tanker it cost Rs4,000 to Rs5,000. The registration of FIRs in January, the statements of two senior police officials (DIGs) and a representative of ABAD on the water issue show that the menace of illegal hydrants cannot be eradicated without the help of KWSB officials.

Name withheld on request

Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2017