KARACHI, Aug 17: All the hydrants which are currently being managed by Rangers are likely to be returned to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) by the year’s end.

Efforts were afoot for the takeover of the hydrants from Rangers by December, sources in the water board said, adding that a number of measures were being taken to ensure smooth functioning of the hydrants once come under KWSB’s control.

A meeting held more than six months ago had decided to close five out of 10 KWSB hydrants after taking their control from Rangers, but the authorities concerned have, so far, closed only one hydrant (LSR hydrant) while the remaining were still under the control of Rangers.

The decision was taken following complaints from former nazims of different towns, especially those belonging to North Nazimabad, Gulberg and Gulshan-i-Iqbal, that water tankers were not only responsible for damaging roads but were also cause of accidents.

A visit to hydrants near North Nazimabad’s Sakhi Hassan traffic intersection and at Federal B. Area’s water pump intersection could reveal that a number of adjoining streets had been badly damaged owing to the frequent movements of tankers with leaking water.

People residing in close vicinity of the hydrants complained that tankers not only hindered the smooth flow of traffic, but their drivers were also indulged in rash and negligent driving.