KARACHI, Sept 13: Parts of Baghdadi have been receiving filthy water for quite some time and the affected residents fear that some serious water-borne diseases may break out unless remedial measures were taken immediately.

Some of the people claimed that they were getting contaminated water for several weeks probably due to leakages in the pipelines. Residents of the localities along Fida Hussain Shaikha Road, worst-affected by the problem, said that sewage was getting mixed with the tap water due to the broken pipelines.

They called for immediate action to plug the leakages to avert the threat of a possible spread of gastro-enteritis in their locality. Meanwhile, complaints of an acute shortage of water have been received from certain parts of Shah Beg Lane union council. The worst-hit area appeared to be the Ali Mohammad Mohalla which has already remained a water-deficit area for more than a decade.

Deploring the relevant authorities for their failure in addressing the problem, they stressed that the issue be resolved once and for all. They pointed out that they had been raising a hue and cry for years but no concrete steps had so far been taken to mitigate their sufferings.

A Kalri resident, Salim Raj, lamented that the affected people of his area had already tried their best to draw the attention of all the relevant agencies towards the longstanding problem, but the situation remained unchanged.

A social worker in the area, Akhtar Baloch, claimed that it was an artificial shortage created by unscrupulous elements in the local government. He said that the treatment meted out to the residents of Ali Mohammad Mohalla and some other parts of the UC was part of their 'dirty politics'.

A community leader has demanded that at least 30 MGD water be supplied to Lyari Town to cater to the minimum requirement of the densely populated area.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE: Residents of the localities along D. D. Chaudhry Road, near Lyari Telephone Exchange, have complained that despite repeated reminders to relevant authorities, no step had so far been taken to solve the chronic problem of water shortage in this locality of 5,000 to 6,000 people.

"The area always remains without water during summers and the situation is getting worse with each passing day," the said, adding that visited the Moosa Lane pumping station several time to get the problem sorted out but without any success.

They alleged that the pumping station officials were responsible for the artificial shortage, and urged the authorities to hand over the control of valve operation at the pumping station to Rangers who should ensure an equitable distribution of water among all areas on a turn basis.

The problem of water shortage in certain other parts of Lyari Town was because of the faulty distribution system and illegal connections. In some localities residents hold the respective valvemen for the 'artificial' crisis and allege that they divert the water share of one locality to some other one.

The areas at present gripped in an acute water shortage are Ali Mohammad Mohalla, Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road (Kalri), parts of New Kalri, including Hingorabad, Nayabad, Daryabad and some parts of D. D. Chaudhry Road.

Most of these localities are not receiving regular water supply for the past few years because the supply meant for these areas is diverted to other areas by an influential 'water mafia'.