KARACHI, Nov 24: Water tankers operating from different hydrants in Karachi are not only responsible for damaging roads but have also claimed hundreds of lives over the years.

According to statistics of traffic accidents obtained from the Transport & Communication Department City District Government Karachi (CDGK), the number of pedestrians knocked down by water tankers over the years run in hundreds.

An average of 40 to 45 pedestrians have been killed yearly in accidents involving water tankers operating throughout the city. In 2001, 64 water tanker related accidents were reported, in which over 40 pedestrians were killed.

Similarly 37 people died in 2002 in such accidents, whereas the death toll in 2003 reached 45 as a result of rash and negligent driving of water tanker drivers. Moreover hundreds of people have been severely injured and maimed by water tankers.

Tragically many children also,have been fatal victims of such terrible accidents. The major cause of such accidents is attributed to reckless driving, lack of knowledge of traffic rules and regulations etc, by the drivers of tankers.

The cost of repairing roads in and around the city hydrants also runs in millions of rupees according to an official of the city government, Apart from deaths and damaging of road, these water tankers are involved in supplying contaminated water at exorbitant rates to the water starved people of Karachi.

Officials hope to resolve such problems as the matter has been taken up at government level particularly that of shifting of hydrants under the control of Rangers and removal of illegal hydrants in the city. -PPI