KWSB officers collecting ‘Eidi’ from water tanker mafia

KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) seemed to have left the people of Karachi at the mercy of the water tanker mafia as the board completely failed to supply water to the city and continue its water tanker service after collecting underhand payments on behalf MD water board and Minister for Local Government Sindh.

According to sources, tankers were, however, providing water through the board’s hydrants at exorbitant commercial rates. Residents of Karachi’s Landhi, Bhitai Colony, Korangi Crossing, are facing an acute shortage of water as supply through pipelines have been suspended to the areas for the last 15 days.

Sources said the water supplies to these areas were stopped by KWSB officials to facilitate tanker mafia by receiving an enormous amount of bribe. The area residents have been compelled to spend approximately Rs3, 000 extra on drinking water.  

Sources further disclosed earlier the tanker mafia had started mixing gutter water in the areas’ water pipelines so that people would be forced to buy tankers water.

The area people alleged that the KWSB employees demanded Rs 10,000 per month from residents of the area on behalf of MD Water Board Asadullah and Minister for Local Government Sindh Nasir Hussain Shah.

The area people complained that the tankers mafia, illegal water connections and water hydrants have been the major hindrances in the smooth supply of water to the citizens as Karachi Water & Sewerage Board officials were involved in these illegal practices.

Illegal trade of water in the city through legal or illegal water hydrants could not be stopped despite tall claims of Sindh government.