Shortage of water in capital raises questions on performance of MCI

Islamabad

The opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) has serious concerns over shortage of water in various sectors of the federal capital accusing the Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz, Chief Metropolitan Officer of MCI Suleman Khan Wariach and water supply directorate of taking no interest in addressing the issue.

“The problem of water supply in Islamabad is getting serious with the passage of time as presently 72 out of 192 tube-wells are not functional and supply to Islamabad from different resources has also been reduced by 12 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) of water,” the opposition leader in MCI Ali Awan while talking to ‘The News’.

He said that presently less than 15 water tankers of the water supply are in operation while remaining bowzers are out of order. "Every time we are told that there are no funds to get tube wells and water tankers repaired and make them operational," he said.

Tahir Moeen, a resident of Sector I-8/4 said that the residents of the sub sector in a number of streets are not receiving sufficient water supply for the last many years and despite time and again complaints no remedial measures have been taken.

Ali Awan said the water supply directorate was not being provided funds to repair tube-wells and water tankers thus plunging the federal capital particularly sectors G-11, I-8 and I-10 in severe water shortage.

Ali Awan alleged that the residents of Islamabad were also forced use unsafe and contaminated drinking water in different sectors. The CDA Spokesman Mazhar Hussain when contacted admitted that 15 out 30 water tankers are out of order while 115 out 192 tube wells are functional. He said eight out of 15 tankers would be in order in near future while it would take time to remaining bowzers.  

He said so far the Municipal Corporation has not received development or maintenance funds since its inception and that is why the water supply directorate was not released grant for any major work.