KARACHI, July 31: Islands and fishermen’s villages in Keamari Town have been facing acute water shortage for the past three years. Community leaders said that the situation had been aggravating since June when an illegal hydrant had been built at the Gulbai Pumping Station.

The operation of the illegal hydrant, they maintained, had caused acute water shortage problem in Sandspit Road, Yunisbad, Kaka Village as the task of water supply to these villages had been given to tanker operators who provided water at the rate of Rs1,400 per tanker.

The most pressing problem in Baba Bhit and Shamspir islands is also adequate supply of potable water.

The community leaders in a petition to the provincial chief minister said despite their constant efforts over almost a decade no measures had been taken by the authorities concerned to ensure availability of water to people.

The petition has been signed by the representatives of Fisherfolk Development Organization, Shamspir Fishermen Welfare Association, Yunisabad Fishermen Village Organization and two councillors from UC-4 Baba Bhit, Keamari town.

A visit to the fishermen’s villages and islands shows that availability of basic amenities such as electricity, water and gas supply are the problems which need immediate attention.

An islander complained that if these facilities could be made available to naval personnel in Manora why the same could not be provided to them.