KARACHI, May 4: Residents of various localities criticised the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board for acute shortage of water and warned that they would take to streets if the problem was not solved at the earliest.

They said despite repeated complaints lodged with the water board offices, no action had been taken to ensure normal supply.

Complainants from Bawani Chali, Pathan Colony, Frontier Colony and Mastan Chali said they had been facing acute shortage of water for the last 18 days. They said they were regularly visiting the offices of local union council nazim, but to no avail.

A social worker, Mateeullah Shah, said people were fetching water from far flung areas. He said water was not available even for ablution in the area mosques.

He said the superintending engineer of the water board at SITE Town was also approached. Despite his assurances, the problem was not solved. He said people were left with the only option to stage protest demonstrations.

A water consumer from Rehmani mosque area of Pathan Colony said water tankers could not enter the narrow streets and people were fetching water on shoulders.

He said the KWSB had awarded the contract of pipelines maintenance to a private firm, which had dug up streets and roads and left them unattended many months back.

Despite repeated attempts, the UC-6 nazim of Pathan Colony could not be contacted for comments. However, his brother Umer Rehman said, “Al-Ghazi Contractors are responsible for the water crisis in the area, as the supply line has been opened and left unattended for the last six months.” He said it was the duty of KWSB officials to solve the problem while people were criticising the local nazim.