• Says current supply of 550 MGD is ‘insufficient’
• Visits KWSB head office after becoming chairman

KARACHI: After becoming the chairman of the water utility, Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the head office of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) on Thursday and promised measures to ensure “equitable distribution” of water in the metropolis.

Mr Wahab’s visit came the day when the Sindh government issued a gazette notification regarding the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation Act under which the Karachi mayor has been made the chairman of the water utility’s board.

Talking to reporters, the mayor spoke about deputing a magistrate and a dedicated police station for KWSB to curb water theft in the city. He also talked about appointing “municipal magistrates” in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

But when it comes to the “equitable distribution” of water, the mayor himself feared that this step may face resistance by certain groups.

He was of the view that water should be distributed in a fair manner in the city, as some areas received water on a daily basis while some areas didn’t get water for weeks.

Officials said that the water demand of Karachi has crossed 1,000 million gallons per day (MGD) a long time ago, but the supply is restricted to mere 550 MGD.

The mayor, however, did not talk about increasing the water quota to Karachi from Indus source and stressed on distribution of available water that could not cater for even half of Karachi.

“…550 MGD is insufficient for Karachi, but if its distribution is done in a fair way, the problem can be solved to a large extent,” he claimed.

“When we do this, there will be some opposition, but we have to provide water to every area. It is our responsibly and we want to serve the people by taking administrative decisions beyond politics,” he said.

He said that wherever water was wasted or stolen, the administration should take immediate action.

Survey of swimming pools

As chlorination is the primary responsibility of the water utility, the mayor ordered the authorities to ensure that required quantity of chlorine must be added to the water in swimming pools, mosques and other places to protect citizens from deadly diseases like Naegleria fowleri.

He said that the swimming pools in the metropolis should be inspected to ensure that their water was effectively chlorinated and free from the brain-eating amoeba.

“There will be no compromise on the service for the citizens of Karachi,” he said.

The mayor said that he had worked in the KMC before as its administrator but the water board was a new experience for him and he would try his best to address citizens’ complaints.

Drainage of rainwater during monsoon

Talking about upcoming monsoon, he said that his first target was to ensure timely drainage of accumulated water during monsoon rains.

He said that work was going on to de-silt storm water drains at 50 to 55 places in the city.

He said he wanted to convey a message that all political parties should put their political differences aside and come forward with the spirit of service.

The mayor said that political matters should be raised and discussed in the City Council and the provincial assembly. “We have to serve here because the citizens of Karachi have high hopes from us.”

He said that during Eidul Azha local government representatives of the Jamaat-i-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf worked together with him and successfully completed the garbage disposal operation in the 25 towns of Karachi.

Earlier, on his arrival at the KWSB head office the mayor was received by water board’s chief executive officer Syed Salahuddin, chief operating officer Asadullah Khan and others.

Mr Wahab was accompanied by PPP leader Karamullah Waqasi and others.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2023