MANSEHRA, Aug 31: The continuing shortage of clean drinking water in Mansehra and the apathy of the municipal authorities have created immense hardships for the people. Most parts of the town either receiving polluted water or not getting any water for weeks.

To make the matters worse, cases of gastroenteritis and hepatitis are on the rise and heaps of garbage can be seen everywhere in the town. However, the civic authorities seem to have turned a blind eye to the situation.

During a survey, it was revealed that the most thickly-populated central area of the town had not received any water for five days. District courts, government offices and business centres are situated in this area which is visited by thousands of people everyday from other parts of the district.

Talking to Dawn, a TMA official said water could not be provided to the area due to a power breakdown. However, he had no answer when asked why the fault in the power supply system could not be rectified in five days.

Sources in the municipal administration said the main reason behind the prevailing state of affairs was an ongoing tug-of-war between various branches of the TMA. The sources alleged that the water supply staff deliberately created faults in the machinery or the power transmission line which hampered regular supply of water to the city.

"Some people are trying to create problems as they want people to rise in protest against the TMA," the sources maintained. It is learnt that the man-made faults in the water supply scheme also allow some elements to earn money through illegal means because in case of suspension of water supply and people's protest a huge amount is drawn from official funds for its repair which is subsequently embezzled.

The sources alleged that this practice had become a permanent source of income for some of the TMA officials because some times out of a huge amount drawn for repair only a small amount was spent on the purchase of spare-parts and the rest of the money was pocketed by such elements.

Another agonising aspect of the situation is the supply of contaminated water from the Bhoot Katha water supply scheme. This water, having a foul smell and greenish colour, contains the filth and garbage of dozens of villages, solid wastes of poultry farms and cattle-sheds.

On various occasions, remains of dead animals have also been found in it. It is learnt that the amount meant for chlorination of water is embezzled by the TMA staff and nothing is done to clean the water tank or chlorinate it.