As water crisis worsens,govt just keeps forming new committees

Karachi
As the acute water shortage persists in the city, Sindh Minister for Local Government Sharjeel Memon has, instead of taking any substantial action, been focusing on cosmetic solutions such as forming new committees.
Residents and political observers say these committees would not serve any real purpose as long as the pumping stations remain closed and Karachi’s supply keeps dwindling.
The first committee formed by the minister was a media committee; the second had stakeholders of the city including journalists and NGOs; a third was announced by the minister on the floor of the Sindh Assembly which was to be headed by the city commissioner.
Yet another committee, also headed by the commissioner and comprising chief engineers of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, was also formed. Yet, no one could disagree that these efforts have brought about no change in the supply situation.
Now, a new committee, namely the ‘Water Board Monitoring Committee’, has been constituted by Memon, who is also the chairman of the KWSB. This particular body held its first meeting at the KWSB office on Saturday.
The meeting, presided over by KWSB Vice Chairman Mohammed Sajid Jokhio, discussed in detail several suggestions and recommendations to resolve the prevalent water crisis.
Jokhio informed the meeting that a resolution has been submitted in the provincial assembly for taking action against illegal water connections and owners of hydrants. He said the resolution will soon be presented in the next session of the assembly.
It may be noted here that the PA has just been prorogued and the next session would relate to the annual budget, so discussion over this particular matter seems improbable.
The committees formed so far can only present recommendations and they will not be able to see the technicalities and engineering facts of the KWSB.
Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, while talking to The News on Sunday, said the KWSB was on the verge of collapse and the machinery and water pumps needed either replacement or total overhauling.
He said the acute water shortage continued and due to rampant corruption the people were suffering.
According to the water board MD, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has given an approval for a project that would supply 65mgd more for the Dhabeji pumping station, adding that work on this project would be started that as soon as funds were available.