ISLAMABAD, July 6: The water filtration plant of Faisal Colony, Sector G-7/1, has been out of order for over four years, and a motorbike mechanic has opened his shop in front of the plant, Dawn has learnt.

According to the foundation stone fixed on the wall of the filtration plant, it was constructed at a cost of Rs1.67 million in November 2008 through a project on managing urban wastage.

Of the total cost, the Australian High Commission contributed Rs1 million through the direct aid programme, Qadam Development Organisation contributed Rs352,000 and Aim Association contributed Rs318,297.

A resident of the locality, Pervez Masih, said at the inauguration of the filtration plant, copper taps had been fixed but after an hour, they were replaced with plastic taps.

“Just after six months, the filtration plant became out of order as the filtration machine stopped working. This was because there was no one who could care about the maintenance of the plant weekly or even fortnightly,” he said.

He said some people broke the pipeline through which the water was being provided, and started washing vehicles.

This too ended in 2009 when the government officials blocked the pipe because people were wasting precious water for washing vehicles.

However, the motorbike mechanic Fayaz Masih claimed the filtration plant had no purpose so he had decided to open a workshop because the roof of the plant saved him from sun and rain.

“The rear room, in which machine was installed, is being used as a bodybuilding gym. At least the building is providing facilities of a healthy activity and employment,” he said.

Another resident, Shahid Masih, said there were 700 houses in Faisal Colony and the filtration plant used to allow the residents access to fresh and clean water round the clock.

However, now they had to get water through the supply line on alternate days, resulting in a severe water problem.

Spokesperson Capital Development Authority (CDA) Asia Gul did not attend the call despite multiple attempts, and an officer of the authority, on condition of anonymity, said the filtration plants did not belong to the civic agency and it had nothing to do with it.

“However, during the tenure of former chairman Tahir Shahbaz, the CDA considered to gain the control of projects which had no caretaker, but the matter could not be finalised,” he said.