ISLAMABAD: Tanker mafia is busy stealing water from Khanpur Dam, a major source of water supply to Islamabad, besides the river has no walls or barbed wires around, due to which many people have died while swimming in the dam’s spillway Pakistan Today has learnt. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) due to its lethargic attitude remains indifferent to the matter.
Private tankers are stealing water from the main river through generators pumps – as seen in the image – and selling it to the civilians on a hefty amount of Rs 4,000 per tanker as the CDA is failing to cater to the water needs of the citizens of Islamabad.
On a visit, this scribe observed that there was no wall around the river due to which people were swimming in it to get some relief from the scorching heat and high temperature.
While talking to Pakistan Today Mayor-cum-CDA chief Sheikh Anser Aziz said that the authority was unaware of the matter, he will send a team and strict action would be taken against the violators.
Due to the CDA’s lack of attention to the matter, reportedly, many persons, including children have died annually due to the high water pressure, they were swimming in.
“Wires have been tied on various steps of the Khanpur dam across the both sides for the people to hold on in an emergency situation,” said Muhammad Saad, a regular swimmer, adding that he has also been a witness to many deaths due to the said issues.
While talking to the driver of the water tanker, Qaiser, seen in the picture, said, “If you need a water tanker in Tarnool, a Khanpur area, it takes almost eight hours and costs 4,000 rupees, as roads are rough”.
Asif Shahan, a visitor at the Khanpur Dam, said that he had been visiting this place for the second time, and each time he saw a couple of private water tankers stealing water from the Khanpur, probably with the help of the concerned authority and local electives, as no one ever bothered them.
It is noted that Islamabad is left with only one month’s water supply as both the Simly and Khanpur dams continue to dry up by more than two inches a day.
Islamabad’s total demand for water was around 114 million gallons per day. The current supply is between 55mgd and 60 mgd less than the standard 70mgd. To meet the rising demand, an extra 10 to 12 million gallons per day is drawn from Khanpur Dam.
When contacted, CDA’s spokesperson, Mazhar Hussain said that these types of activities were not in the knowledge of high authority. “I have brought this matter before the high-ups and action against the persons involved in this crime would be devised soon,” he said, adding that there should be a wall on the both sides of the spillway or at least barbed wires to discourage people from swimming in the water.
