KARACHI, Oct 3: The Sindh Ombudsman has taken notice of supply of contaminated water to the residents of Malir, Khokhrapar, and has admitted a complaint for investigation.

The Ombudsman has sought a report from the MD of KWSB and XEN Malir (Sewerage) into the allegations of contaminated water supply and non-response from the KWSB official.

Residents of Khokhrapar E-1, E-2 areas, Mehran Colony, Bilal Colony stated in their complaint to the Ombudsman that about 13,000 people in Khokhrapar had been suffering owing to the supply of contaminated water in the locality and because of poor sewerage system.

They said that as sewage mixed water was being received in the locality, children were falling prey to various water-borne diseases. The daily wagers suffer the most as they can’t afford to pay private doctors, they added.

In response to a similar complaint addressed to the prime minister, the PM Secretariat taking serious notice of the complaint, had asked the Sindh chief secretary to look into the request of the petitioners on priority for appropriate action under intimation to the petitioner and the secretariat within 15 days.

An area social worker, M U Kehar, pointed out that a Sindh government’s inspection team had visited the locality in 1981 after which sewerage lines were laid.

In 1991 a World Bank team visited the locality and requested the Sindh government to provide clean drinking water to Khokhrapar and in 1996 water supply was ensured.

They said that now after 24 years, they were once again looking towards the higher authorities to come to their rescue as there was sewage all around on the main road of the locality, garbage was seen littered everywhere, and there were no footpaths and streetlights.

Similarly, complaints of filthy water supply have been received from a number of other areas of Malir, including H area, Saudia Colony, and Double Storey School.

Several parts of Malir Khokhrapar have been facing water shortage for the last four to six months. Water supply to several localities in Malir has been stopped. The only area getting water is FN-1 which is being supplied water owing to the Sindh Government Hospital.

Meanwhile, Sindh Ombudsman has drawn the attention of the director-general of Sindh Katchi Abadis Authority towards a complaint about delay in issuance of lease deed, and NOC in respect of two amenity plots in Mehran Colony meant for a community centre and a dispensary.