KARACHI: Residents of Clifton and Defence, who rely on water tankers, have been facing difficulty in getting a bowser from the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) as its tanker service is facing delays due to an acute shortage.

At a recent meeting between the CBC and the Clifton Defence Community (CDC), a detailed discussion was held on the acute water shortage faced by the residents, a Rs14 billion project to lay a new waterline dedicated from Dumlottee to DHA and pending tanker supply applications.

When many residents, who attended the meeting, complained that they are not even getting water through the CBC tankers despite having been given out tokens, it was explained that owing to the current shortage, the tanker supply is two to three months behind schedule.

The residents suggested that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation water tankers be diverted to DHA too to take care of the backlog in supplying water as they are also available at a relatively lower price than the private tankers and can be booked a few days in advance.

In meeting with residents, CBC officials attribute backlog in bowser supply to water shortage

In a bid to learn more about the proposed dedicated waterline project, CDC President Abdur Rehman inquired about its progress from CBC officials, including Secretary Sajjad Nazir and Chief Cantonment Engineer Abdul Rahim Shaikh.

It was explained that work on the new pipeline, expected to complete in a year’s time, has already started. The pipeline will carry unfiltered water from Dumlottee, which will then be purified through filtration plants before being supplied to the residents through their lines.

The residents also requested that the existing water distribution system be improved before the new project is completed.

There were other complaints also raised by residents about private tankers filling up from CBC hydrants to which the CBC officials denied any such action.

They further said that if any resident saw a private tanker filling water from a CBC hydrant, they should take a picture of it and immediately send it to the CBC officials concerned so that the matter can be investigated and necessary action be taken.

“There are unnecessary and redundant lines and ineffective management of valves that need to be looked into,” said CDC’s President Abdur Rehman.

He also highlighted the residents’ suggestion of installing water meters and devising an effective system for supply according to water consumption, so that the internal system is fully ready by the time the water supply from the new line begins.

Regarding residents’ concerns over tanker service delays, CBC Secretary Nazir told Dawn: “We facilitated those [residents] at the meeting who showed us their tokens [for water tankers] on a priority basis the very same day.”

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2026