KARACHI: In a major development amid the megacity's water woes, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has decided to end the supply of water through tankers and hydrants across the city.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, while chairing a meeting on Tuesday, directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to put in place an alternative system to supply water through pipelines and to gradually shut down all seven hydrants operating in the city.
"All hydrants in Karachi will be phased out, and water will be supplied to citizens through pipelines,” Wahab said, adding that arrangements should be made to deliver water to people’s doorsteps through proper line connections.
The mayor said the city currently earns around Rs300 million per month from water hydrants but stressed that the contracts for hydrant operations had expired last year and would not be renewed.
"We will not issue new contracts. Instead, we want to rid citizens of dependence on tankers," Wahab said.
He acknowledged that tanker-based supply was not a permanent solution and caused hardship for residents. “Providing water through tankers is not sustainable, and citizens face difficulties because of it,” he said.
To address water shortages, the Karachi mayor said the city would ensure supply to every area on alternate days until the pipeline-based system is fully implemented.
