A severe scarcity of funds has forced the Machinery Pool Organisation (MPO) of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to delay the reparation of more than five water tankers parked at the MPO Directorate for the last several months, Pakistan Today has learnt.
An official wishing not to be named told Pakistan Today that due to a lack of funds, more than five water tankers of the civic body had been rusting away at the MPO Directorate while awaiting repairs for over six months, but nothing has been done so far to make them operational. The official said the CDA had a fleet of 39 tankers, 15 of which were out of order.
Finances: Another official said MPO was reluctant to get the out-of-order water tankers repaired due to the nonpayment of charges by the finance wing.
The MPO was also hesitant to provide diesel to functional tankers due to the same reason, he said.
MPO is responsible for providing diesel and repairing all machinery used by the CDA.
“The MPO has to generate funds through its own resources due to which it cannot get the tankers repaired without getting the required amount from the finance wing,” the official added.
Auction: He said the CDA had now decided to buy new water tankers by auctioning 15 inoperative ones, adding that repairing these tankers was expensive and purchasing new tankers would be more beneficial for the civic authority.
The source said timely reparation was needed for keeping the tankers in operation, adding that the average life of the water tankers was 10 years, and a majority of them were past their prime.
Also, laxity at the hands of the civic body is also causing inconvenience to the residents of Islamabad, particularly in G and I sectors, which have been facing an acute water shortage for several months and have no choice but to seek help from these tankers.
However, sole reliance on the water tankers often means a prolonged waits.
Pakistan Today learnt that hundreds of people wait for the tankers to fill water each morning as early as 4am and register their complaints at the CDA’s desk set up there, while several others lodge their complaints over telephone.
“We have to face many problems due to the poor service of water suppliers and leaked pipes of most of the tankers,” said Anwar Ali, a resident of G/10-3. The residents said the CDA’s water tanker service was not efficient. “One would be lucky if the tanker arrived by late evening,” said Amjad, a resident of I/10 Sector.
