KARACHI, Dec 30: The KWSB would initially close down only two of its nine hydrants following getting back their control back from the rangers.

The two hydrants which are expected to be closed down are: LSR situated behind the Civic Centre and at North Nazimabad's Sakhi Hassan.

Earlier, a meeting, presided over by the City Nazim, had decided to close down six hydrants which included LSR, Sakhi Hassan, Water pump, Juma Goth, Faisal Colony No 4 and Muslimabad's Sidnum hydrant.

The sudden retreat from an earlier decision is being attributed to the pressure being exerted on the CDGK by different quarters involved in water business in one way or the other.

However, sources said the CDGK should remain stick to its earlier decision of closing down at least six hydrants as frequent movement of tankers drawing water from these hydrants had played havoc with busy thoroughfares of the city and had also killed and maimed a number of people in road accidents.

Recalling that a tanker had only recently claimed lives of two minor girls in North Nazimabad, near Nagin Chowrangi, they expressed the hope that the City Nazim would not yield to any pressure while implementing his own decision of closing down a maximum number of KWSB hydrants, following taking back their control from rangers.

"It is in the knowledge of everyone that a number of main roads have already been ruined owing to frequent movement of tankers and drivers of tankers often indulge in rash and negligent driving as they usually drive their vehicles beyond maximum limit of 40 mile per hour," a senior citizen who resides near LSR hydrant remarked, saying the main cause of traffic jams on main University Road, near Gulshan Municipal Town's office, is frequent movement of tankers drawing water from the LSR hydrant.

Asked how long it will take to take back the control of the KWSB hydrants from the rangers, sources said the process might take two to three months.