‘3,000 free water tanker trucks in Ramazan’

Karachi
The number of water tanker trucks providing free of charge service to the citizens of Karachi will be raised to 3,000 during Ramazan, and 1,000 from Monday (today).
Sindh Minister for Local Government Sharjeel Memon, who is also chairman of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, announced this on Sunday while addressing a press conference here at the Archives Office.
A committee has been constituted, comprising the Karachi commissioner the KWSB MD, so that water tanker service is provided in transparent manner and fairly, Sharjeel informed the media.
The minister said the Sindh government was utilising all resources available to it to overcome the water crisis in the city and “we have succeeded in containing the water shortage to some extent.”
Memon said the situation has improved due to proper management in the board and also the K–IV project will start this month, adding the project has been delayed due to some mistakes but the present government has taken interest and around 13,500 acres of land have been provided in to the KWSB. “A consultant has also been appointed for the project.”
To check water theft and leakages, he mentioned that the board has installed meters on 19 lines main lines supplying water to the city and added that meters will be fixed on other 24 lines within a month time.
He disclosed that so far construction of 62 water parks has been halted to save water for fundamental use and a full campaign has also been launched to raze illegal water parks.
Later, talking to the media after the press conference, the minister said that 550 mgd of water was available for the city against the capacity of 1000 mgd. To make its distribution judicious and appropriate, the KWSB’s management officers and the technical staff were working round the clock, he added.
“In this regard leaves of all the board staff have been cancelled.”
He told the reporters that plans were underway to increase water supply from Dhabeji pumping station.
The minister mentioned that the KWSB has been provided a special grant of Rs 160 million to use it for supplying free water tankers.
He stated: “Expenses on providing free water tankers will be monitored by the commissioner, KWSB MD and chief engineer.
Regarding free supply, Sharjeel said priority will be given to those areas where water is not available through KWSB lines and added complaints can be registered on number 99203443 in case of any difficulty in getting free supply. “People can also file complaints at the commissioner’s office.”
The minister stressed that the government will ensure that tanker owners supply water at official rates and action will be taken against those engaged in profiteering.

Power outages
The power supply to Hub, North East Karachi, old pump house and Gharo pumping stations remained suspended from 7:40 am to 1:20 pm on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the KWSB, water supply to three districts—Karachi West, Central and East—were affected due to this breakdown and around 25 mgd less water was pumped to these areas.