‘Illegal hydrants pilfer 12 million gallons water daily’

A chain of illegal water hydrants, operating under the patronage of police in different areas, daily deprive the city of at least 12 million gallons of drinking water, which is later sold on private basis, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Well-placed sources told Pakistan Today that the law enforcement agencies have repeatedly turned down requests made by Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), encouraging the hydrant mafia to run their business openly and as a result, the water utility is facing a shortage of around 12 million gallon water, leading to lower supplies to a number of areas.
In June 2011, the KWSB had disconnected the supply to at least a 100 illegal water hydrants in various areas of the metropolis without police support. But the utility’s team of workers was attacked while disconnecting five illegal water hydrants in Ayub Goth, Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
Sources said the KWSB team was attacked by the water hydrant mafia, resulting in serious injuries to the disconnection team while the five illegal hydrants were restored soon after the team left the area.
After the incident, KWSB Managing Director Misbahuddin Fareed forwarded a letter to Home Secretary, Capital City Police Officer and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Director General asking them to provide protection to KWSB teams. However, the apathy of the senior law enforcement officials could be gauged from the fact that no response has been so far. Ultimately, no action was taken against the illegal water hydrants mafia as the area police was patronising them.
When contacted, KWSB Chief Engineer Iftikhar Ahmed told Pakistan Today that more than 20 of the illegal water hydrants, earlier disconnected by the water body, have been restored. “The restoration of 20 illegal water hydrants has caused a paucity of at least 12 million gallons of potable water for the city on daily basis but the KWSB teams cannot visit the areas as armed persons are guarding them.”
“At least four illegal water hydrants have been restored in Mangopir, five in Ayub Goth, two near Metro Cinema in Orangi Town, three in the Jumma Goth, two in Sherpao Colony of Landhi,” he disclosed.