KARACHI: Rangers and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation on Tuesday claimed to have dismantled around 150 illegal hydrants and disconnected 1,200 illegal connections in their ongoing drive against water theft in the metropolis.

Speaking at a press conference at the Rangers headquarters, Brig Kabeer Ahmed and KWSC chief executive officer Salahuddin said that the actions helped the utility in saving 100 million gallons per day.

They said that the theft had been causing a loss of around Rs13 billion.

Brig Ahmed said that the paramilitary force in collaboration with the KWSC started the operation against the theft on Sept 17. Actions were taken against illegal hydrants, pumping stations, illegal connections and tanker mafia, he said.

“As a result, supply of water has been improved to a large extent in different areas of the metropolis,” he said, adding that efforts were still underway to provide full benefits of the operation to the people.

“A major part of the operation against illegal hydrants has been completed and now actions would be taken against illegal connections,” the Rangers official said.

Illegal hydrants were being destroyed, but at the same time, certain connections were being regularised, where was necessary, as per law, he added.

Giving details, Brig Ahmed said that the Rangers and the KWSC had conducted total 93 actions against 187 illegal hydrants. Out of which, 24 illegal hydrants were sealed while 163 others destroyed. During those actions, a total of 163 persons were arrested.

Following the actions, around 20pc water being stolen had returned to the supply system of the KWSC, he claimed.

Both Rangers and the KWSC officials claimed that now the tail-enders of Clifton, Orangi Town, Qasba Colony, New Karachi, Gadap and Baldia Town were getting supply of water.

The officials said that around 1,000 more water tankers had been registered by the KWSC, which would provide water to the citizens at the official rate. They urged the citizens to register themselves at the KWSC’s app to benefit from this service.

“The Sindh Rangers in collaboration with the KWSC will continue the operation till complete elimination of water theft,” declared the Rangers official.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2023