Residents under the purview of the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project (LERP) still await the provision of water facilities as the CDGK and PPP-led government struggle to fulfill promises of resettlement and rehabilitation made by previous governments. The LERP was launched to resettle the people that were displaced due to the construction of the Expressway. These people were living along the river for generations and were forcibly removed. Their houses and businesses were demolished by the government to complete the project.

The LERP has developed the Musharraf Colony, Taisar Town and another resettlement colony in Baldia Town to resettle the displaced people. These areas had been planned with utilities, including transport, schools, basic health units, parks, roads, water and sanitation. Rahima Bibi 45, residing in Musharraf Colony, Keamari Town, said that when the authorities were building small houses in the resettlement colony (now known as Musharraf Colony) they had ensured complete facilities to the displaced families. They allotted 80 square feet (sq. ft) plots along with Rs50, 000 to each family as compensation while making them migrate from both banks of the Lyari River to develop the expressway launched on May 11, 2002.

There are 5,000 plots in Musharraf Colony, more than 16,000 in Taisar Town and 2,900 in Baldia Town. In the beginning the LERP arranged water tankers for supplying water to these localities on an emergency basis and ensured the displaced families of providing them with tap water after some time. Sources in the LERP said that the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has made efforts to supply tap water to Taisar Town Resettlement Project residents through the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB). However, hardly anyone has benefited and majority of people are still receiving water through tankers.

The LERP comprises officials deputed from different departments, including Lyari Development Authority (LDA) to facilitate the displaced communities. The LERP official says that the water supply system in these resettlement localities is similar, therefore, problems faced by all the families are alike. The KWSB also made arrangements to supply water to Musharraf Colony once a week on Tuesdays, however, they failed to meet the needs of all the residents. Following the replacement of the KWSB officials after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came into power, the situation for these resettlement colonies has worsen. Not only has the tap water been stopped but also the flow of water tankers has lessened. The Hawkes Bay resettlement colony has not received a single tanker in the past few days.

Observing the annoyance of the community, the LERP officials are facing difficulties and are reluctant to sit in the office. The LERP had arranged 30 water tanks for the community people in Musharraf Colony and signed contracts with two separate companies to supply 30 water tankers daily to meet the needs of the residents, schools, hospitals and other community centres. After some time the residents found out that the community tanks remained empty. When contacted by The News, the LERP official said the frequent traffic jams on the Hawkes Bay road and prolonged power failure are the main causes affecting the water supply to Musharraf Colony.

At present 2,000 families are settled in this colony. The residents expressed that the area earlier was receiving 30 water tankers but now they hardly receive two tankers per day, which is insufficient for their domestic use and they cannot afford to buy water from private water tankers. The source added that if they receive 10 to 15 tankers daily, the companies responsible will not provide the remaining tankers on the second trip to meet the people’s requirement. This gap sometimes widens and residents suffer shortage of water.

Water shortage is one of the main problems for the entire neighbourhood and several families have been forced to buy water through private tankers. However, since the PPP-led government and the CDGK received complaints about the manipulation in the water supply system, they forced the Rangers authority to withdraw private tankers to these areas. Now the water supply companies, which used to provide tankers through Rangers, are reluctant to continue the process, which has affected the entire city areas, especially those urban and suburban population that receives water through tankers.

In this regard, Perween Rehman of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) said that the private water tanker companies generate Rs45 billion annually and this has turned into a lucrative business in the city. Orangi, SITE, Baldia, Keamari, Korangi, Gadap and Bin Qasim towns suffer the most due to acute water shortage. Residents of these areas have been forced to buy water through private tankers because they are being deprived of tap water, added Rehman.

She said that the government departments instead of providing basic facilities to age-old suburb villages are demolishing them to establish commercial centres and expanding urban development. “In my understanding a world class city can only be established where a world class government exists,” Rehman expressed. According to her, Karachi receives 655 million gallons of water daily (MGD) and if the distribution system is improved it can meet the need of the citizens. Each person needs 20 MGD and industries need 123 MGD. However, the water distribution authorities have failed to stop water theft and manage resources to stop water losses, she explained.

Meanwhile, the KWSB has failed to strengthen its financial position for the lack of measured water supplies and volumetric charging system. Therefore, it has been suggested to the concerned authority to install new supply lines with flow meters to regulate the actual usage of water in every water connection individually. When contacted, a KWSB official said that the organisation (KWSB) is equipped with the technology and the manpower. However, changing political manoeuvrings affect the functioning of the institution. He said the international financial institutions approve projects but owing to the political influence at higher management levels, the major share of funds benefits only a few.