20000405

Many areas sans water

Rs 30m worth 17 KWSB

generators lying idle

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: While people in many parts of the city endured another scorching day without, in some instances, not enough water even to wash themselves, and the short supply was, as usual, blamed on power fluctuations, it was shocking to team on Tuesday that more than 17 generators purchased by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board at a cost of Rs 30 million are practically in operative for want of maintenance.

The KWSB had carried out installation of 17 standby generators at a cost of Rs 30 million at sensitive points to ensure uninterrupted water supply the to water deficient areas, situated on higher level and those experiencing frequent power breakdown. The project was completed in February 1996.

KWSB sources said no separate budget allocation was made in subsequent budgets for 1997-98 and 1998-99 for repair and maintenance of these standby generators.

Sources also said these generators were not procured in a transparent manner and were not properly tested and examined by the KWSB. "Installation of these generators was done in a careless manner and the places identified for installation were not designed according to requirement."

They said these generators had rarely been used in time of need.

The KWSB has repeatedly attributed water closure or shortage in districts West, Centre, South and parts of Malir and East, to power breakdown despite owning these 17 standby generators of 750 KVA to 100 KVA.

The standby generators, as per the KWSB record, are installed at Bihar Colony (300 KVA), Dhobi Ghat (225 KVA), Atma Ram Road (135 KVA), People's Playground (135 KVA), Bombay Bazar Old City (100 KVA), Khajoor Bazar (100 KVA), Jaffar Fadoo (100 KVA0, Lea Market (100 KVA), Shah Waliullah Road (100 KVA), Gao Gali Old City (100 KVA), Korangi 5 1/2 (225 KVA), Feature Colony (300 KVA), Shah Faisal 4 (134 KVA), Saudabad Malir (135 KVA), Qayumabad (750 KVA), Gulshan-e-Bihar Orangi (300 KVA), and Bewa Quarters Orangi (225 KVA).

The location of these generators covers most of the districts West, Centre and South and part of Malir and East.

Sources at the technical wing of the KWSB said the maintenance of these generators was not possible as the KWSB was short of funds. "There should have been sufficient allocation of funds in the current budget for repair and maintenance of these generators. The neglect is costly. These generators were installed to ensure uninterrupted water supply Ñ even during power failure Ñ," he added.