PESHAWAR, Aug 19: The people of Shaheen Town have been facing hardships for many months due to acute shortage of water, dilapidated roads and heaps of garbage in the area.

The affected people told Dawn on Monday that their lives had become miserable as the supply of water had been suspended to their locality many months ago.

They lamented that the authorities concerned, including the elected representatives, had become what they called “silent spectators”.

Criticizing the authorities’ attitude towards their problems, they said whatever quantity of water was supplied to them, it got contaminated because water supply lines had broken down at many places and had become rusty, causing diseases among the people.

According to the residents, the main water-tank from which water is supplied to the locality has not been cleaned for 10 years. They warned that some serious diseases might outbreak in the area if the supply of clean water was not restored immediately.

They castigated the city government, saying that though the city administration increased the water rates every now and then, it had failed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of water to over 1,000 houses in the area.

Narrow lanes and streets are another big problem facing the people.

The influx of Afghan refugees into the area and countless hand-carts’ owners have increased the difficulties of motorists and passers-by.