The city and cantonment areas of the city are facing acute water shortage because of the annual closure of the 11-kilometre-long canal from Khanpur Dam to the Sangjani filtration plant, for its maintenance and de-silting.
The canal de-silting will continue for 12 days. However, a Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) official expressed the hope that the water supply would improve by 6 February.
The residents of Cantt areas suffer most as they have to buy water from the tanker mafia who charge them at their will. The owners now demand Rs 800 to 1,000 for a water tanker, which was supplied for Rs 500 before the shortage.
The areas around Peshawar Road, including Afshan Colony, Saddar, People’s Colony, Misrial Road and Kohinoor Mills, besides Chungi No 22 and surrounding area are facing shortage.
Farooq, a resident of Chungi 22, said there was no water in his street and nearby localities and he had to spend Rs 1,000 on arranging a private water tanker.
Ali of Misrial Road said the residents of the area were facing acute water shortage. “We have to buy water from tanker mafia at exorbitant price.”
It may be noted that the RCB has reduced water charges by 15 to 20 per cent of the protest of residents in the wake of the shortage of the commodity with effect from 1 February.
The board would supply water to the people of Cantt areas through tankers, an official said
The situation in the city isn’t different. The residents complained about the water shortage in Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Ratta and adjoining areas.