PESHAWAR, Dec 29: Several localities in Peshawar are facing a severe shortage of water, with people facing immense hardship. "We do not have a drop of water for about a week.

People are forced to fetch water from nearby localities," said Mohmmad Ali, a resident of Gulshan Rehman Colony, located on the Kohat Road.

He said several complaints regarding the shortage had been lodged with the relevant department but without any result. People approaching officials are turned away to other officials and the problem remains unresolved, he said.

The situation in the posh University Town, Hayatabad, Canal Town and other areas is no different either. People there said they were tired of visiting the offices of town councils to register complaints, with no solution in sight. The problem has been plaguing them for the past several months.

Students at the University of Peshawar are also facing water scarcity. They are often seen protesting against the problem. "Sometimes we go to our departments without taking bath and offering morning prayers because of water shortage," said a student.

Residents of Canal Town, adjacent to Islamia College, say they have become used to the problem. Statistics obtained from the Services and Works Department (S&WD) show that the provincial metropolis is being supplied up to 31.68 MGD of water per day - 28.08 MGD through 260 tubewells and 3.6 MGD from the Pishtakhara water supply scheme.

The existing drinking water shortfall in the city is 4.32 MGD which could surge to 28.32 MGD in the next two decades if the government does not explore alternative resources, officials say.

They add that about 70 tubewells had completed their life span, which usually is 15 to 20 years. An official said that many old tubewells discharged sand with water which corroded pumps and reduced their life span.

According to the S&WD, the city requires 40 additional tubewells to meet the current shortfall of 4.32 MGD. By the year 2024, a further 262 tubewells would have to be installed to keep pace with the rising demand.

During his referendum campaign, President Gen Pervez Musharraf had announced a package under which 200 tubewells were to be installed to tackle Peshawar's drinking water problem. That package still awaits implementation.

The city district government pays Rs8.6 million per month as electricity charges to Wapda for operating 260 tubewells and the bill is set to rise to Rs16.18 million by 2024.

Residents of Shaheen Town recall that a new tubewell had been installed one year ago but that was not enough to cater to their water needs. They pay Rs200 per month as water bill.

Enraged by the water shortage, dwellers of the stricken localities periodically take out protest demonstrations, but the authorities appear least bothered about such protests. Water supply to government offices and even to fountains on city squares remains uninterrupted. Those without water are doubly offended by this.